Sourcing Manager

Society of Defense Financial Management; Rock Hill (SC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Autonomous Power Corporation (Powerus) seeks a Sourcing Manager to build and manage supplier networks, assess production capability at supplier facilities, and drive sourcing programs to readiness for high-volume production in defense and related sectors.

The role requires negotiating commercial terms, coordinating with engineering and supplier quality, and delivering qualified suppliers that meet launch timing, cost, and capacity commitments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated sourcing experience in high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to move suppliers from first engagement to production readiness.
• Strong negotiation and commercial acumen with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Run sourcing workstreams in parallel and drive supplier decisions.
• Build sourcing pipelines for new products, capacity expansion and supply resilience.
• Lead RFIs, RFQs and sourcing packages with clear specifications and criteria.
• Visit supplier facilities to assess equipment, processes and capacity.
• Evaluate quotations including cost breakdowns, tooling, logistics and risks.
• Negotiate commercial terms and proposed supply agreements with legal and finance.
• Coordinate qualification and launch readiness with engineering and supplier quality.
• Develop alternative sources and contingency plans for critical parts.
• Handover to procurement with pricing, lead times and obligations.

Skills

Sourcing experience

Strategic sourcing

Supplier development

Negotiation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Hardware manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Sourcing Manager

High Travel

JOB DESCRIPTION

Company: Autonomous Power Corporation (Powerus)

Employment type: Full-time

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform for defense, national security, critical infrastructure and commercial operations. We bring together engineering, autonomy and advanced manufacturing to develop reliable systems and scale their delivery to customers.

Our Mission

Deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety and extend capability in demanding environments.

Position Overview

Build the supplier network required to take Powerus products from development into dependable volume production. Spend substantial time at supplier facilities assessing manufacturing capability, negotiating commercial arrangements and driving sourcing programs to production readiness. Own supplier discovery and award execution in partnership with engineering, commodity management and supplier quality. We need people who have delivered in high-volume, fast-paced environments and can convert priorities into action in hours and days.

Key Responsibilities

• Run sourcing workstreams in parallel, turn supplier visits and quotations into prompt decisions, and drive qualification and capacity actions against daily milestones.
• Build sourcing pipelines for new products, capacity expansion and supply resilience; identify qualified domestic and international candidates consistent with program and export restrictions.
• Lead RFIs, RFQs and sourcing packages with clear specifications, volumes, ramp assumptions, quality requirements, timing and evaluation criteria.
• Visit supplier facilities to assess actual equipment, processes, staffing, capacity, sub-tier dependencies and investment needs; validate commitments with supporting evidence.
• Evaluate quotations through cost breakdowns, tooling and nonrecurring charges, logistics, duties, payment terms and lifecycle risk; present documented award recommendations.
• Negotiate commercial terms and proposed supply agreements with legal and finance, covering capacity commitments, tooling ownership, intellectual property, change management and continuity.
• Coordinate supplier qualification and launch readiness with engineering and supplier quality; track samples, tooling, first articles and production ramp milestones to closure.
• Develop alternative sources and contingency plans for critical parts; manage approved supplier transitions without disrupting configuration, traceability or delivery.
• Complete a disciplined handover to commodity management and procurement, including approved pricing, lead times, capacity, contractual obligations and unresolved risks.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated sourcing experience in high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing, taking suppliers from first engagement to production readiness against compressed launch schedules.
• 6 or more years in strategic sourcing, supplier development or direct procurement for complex manufactured products.
• Evidence of identifying new suppliers and taking sourcing projects through technical qualification, commercial negotiation and production launch.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, cost drivers, capacity assessment, tooling and the economics of scaling component production.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and requirements, assess commercial risks and negotiate effectively with supplier leadership.
• Experience working across engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance and legal in a fast-moving hardware environment; able to work independently at supplier sites.

Preferred Experience

Experience across electronics, mechanical components and electromechanical assemblies; contract

manufacturing, domestic supply development and supplier industrialization experience.

Scope and Authority

Own assigned deliverables and supplier actions within approved budgets, purchasing limits and company policies. Manager titles in this description denote functional ownership and do not, by themselves, establish direct reports or independent contract-signing authority.

Working Expectations

Powerus operates in hours and days. Take ownership immediately, anticipate the next constraint and deliver without being chased. Make timely, evidence-based decisions; communicate blockers as they emerge with a proposed solution, an owner and a recovery time. Move workstreams in parallel and follow every commitment through to completion. Use approved AI and analytical tools to reduce manual work, verify outputs and protect sensitive information.

Travel Requirements

Frequent domestic and international supplier-site travel is an essential part of this role, including multi-day visits and short-notice trips when business needs require. The successful candidate must be comfortable spending a substantial portion of their time at supplier facilities and managing follow-through between visits.

Education and Relevant Experience

A relevant degree in supply chain, business, engineering or a related field is valued. Equivalent relevant professional, technical or military experience will be considered; demonstrated capability and delivery matter.

What Success Looks Like

Qualified suppliers that meet launch timing, cost and capacity commitments, a stronger alternative-source pipeline and clean commercial handovers into production purchasing.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, including veterans and transitioning service members, and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process.