Sourcing Manager (Starship)

Spacex; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Sourcing Manager for the Starship program. The role focuses on building robust supplier relations, driving cost reductions, and aligning procurement with MRP demands to support Starship manufacturing at Starbase, TX.

You will own contracting strategies and lead cross-functional efforts with engineering and production teams. The position requires extensive travel, on-site work at SpaceX facilities, and experience in advanced procurement, negotiation, and supply chain planning.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree and 3+ years of experience in Engineering, Purchasing, Contract negotiation, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in one or more of the listed areas; or 9+ years in related fields.
• Experience with master production scheduling and cost control within manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Analyze supplier spend, capacity, and develop negotiation strategies.
• Lead complex outsourcing and cross-functional projects with suppliers.
• Negotiate high-value contracts including terms, pricing, and IP.
• Coordinate with engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing to meet build schedules.
• Develop commodity strategies and manage supplier performance metrics.

Skills

Engineering

Purchasing

Contract negotiation

Material planning

Operations management

Cost control

Master production scheduling

Education

Advanced degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office Suite

SQL

Access

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

Sourcing Manager (Starship)

The SpaceX supply chain department is a critical player in enabling Starship's mission to capitalize on SpaceX’ technological and market-changing successes. Our team will be part of managing an agile yet robust supply chain that will enable a competitive advantage for the company. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics and inventory. The sourcing manager will play a key role in enabling SpaceX to meet the ambitious growth targets and greatly contribute to making us a multi-planetary.

Responsibilities

• Analyze supplier spend, capacity, and develop overall supplier negotiation and engagement strategies.
• Implementsustainable cost controls and develop cost reduction improvement plans with suppliers
• Ensure work centers are clear to build on time and that lineside health is meeting specifications like sensible min/max reorder-points that are aligned to the MRP Demand plan
• Have extreme ownership of the work center material health overall while working closely with production counterpartsand engineering to stay on top of start to finish dates and cycle times
• Solve problems to recover from late breaking changes or shortages.
• Ensure that the production reality (work centercycle time) is supported by a credible and well-thought out inventory demand-supply plan (vehicle exit rate)
• Lead complex outsourcing and cross functional projects
• Negotiate high value contracts and independently negotiate contract terminology, pricing, technical requirements, scope, and terms involving responsibility, liability, indemnification, and intellectual property with suppliers
• Interpret the conditions and terms of contracts including fiscal and legal implications and advise management onall significant procedures and regulations affecting the contract
• Act as liaison with external and internal customers on all matters affecting contractual agreements while ensuring compliance with all company policies and procedures and government regulations
• Develop and lead commodity strategies for sheet metal, raw material, machined parts, hardware, and otheraerospace components from cradle to grave
• Be the “go to” resource for engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and new product introduction teams whendetermining best value suppliers, NPI sourcing plans, make vs. buy, should cost, buy complete strategies, and lead times, etc.
• Proactively investigate new market trends, supplier roadmaps, and collaborate with engineering on best path froma technology, cost, and supply standpoint
• Drive design for manufacturability reviews with support from supplier quality and engineering.
• Champion value- add and value engineering projects to improve part quality and reduce cost
• Mitigate sole/single source risk and ensure continuity of supply.
• Champion supplier discovery and visit supplier’sfacilities to accurately assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity
• Proactively update SpaceX management and engineering teams on all critical supply issues
• Execute MRP planning messages for production parts including RFQ and PO placements
• Resolve purchase order discrepancies and invoice issues; analyze procurement data and track key metrics to produce actionable insights and reports.

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced degree and 3+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
  • Engineering
  • Purchasing
  • Contract negotiation
  • Material or production planning
  • Operations or supply chain management
  • Material cost control
  • Master production scheduling

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Technical procurement, manufacturing, and vendor management experience
• Experience reading datasheets, drawings, and blueprints
• Proven track record of leadership and team building skills
• Experience with contract negotiation
• Experience in production purchasing
• Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills
• Knowledge and skills in current technologies and applications (e.g. MS Office Suite, SQL, Access, etc.)
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
• Conducts all activities with the highest levels of integrity

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to travel - up to 50% work week travel may be required, including international travel
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
• This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affimative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail]

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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