Sourcing Specialist

Leading Technology Composites; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Leading Technology Composites in Wichita seeks a Strategic Supply Chain Specialist to identify sources of supply, manage change, and drive supplier performance for aerospace composites. You will collaborate with engineering, R&D, production, and quality teams to ensure supply chain readiness and successful product transitions.

The role requires strong technical and negotiation skills, 3+ years in sourcing or materials management, and the ability to lead strategic sourcing initiatives in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent in related field.
• 3+ years sourcing, procurement, or materials management in aerospace or composites.
• Strong understanding of aerospace composite materials and qualification processes.
• Proven ability to identify and develop new suppliers and lead sourcing initiatives.
• Excellent communication and supplier-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify new suppliers for aerospace composites.
• Lead material substitutions and new qualification processes.
• Expedite materials to maintain production readiness.
• Hold weekly status meetings with suppliers to review timelines and risks.
• Collaborate with R&D on prototype builds and material trials.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions.
• Analyze market trends, risks, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Align supplier capabilities with long-term business needs.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and planning.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Procurement strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Position Overview

The Strategic Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for identifying and developing new sources of supply, managing internal change processes, supporting R&D initiatives, and driving supplier performance for composite materials within the aerospace sector. This role is hands‑on, fast‑paced, and requires strong technical and supplier‑management capabilities. The Specialist will collaborate across engineering, R&D, production, and quality teams to ensure supply chain readiness, product transitions, and execution of strategic sourcing objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support existing and emerging material needs, with emphasis on aerospace composites and specialty materials.
• Lead internal change management processes related to material substitutions, new material qualifications, and phase‑out of legacy products.
• Expedite materials both internally and externally to maintain production readiness and mitigate supply disruptions.
• Conduct weekly status meetings with key suppliers; review open orders, project timelines, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to support development projects, prototype builds, and material trials.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions when needed.
• Analyze market trends, supply risks, and cost‑reduction opportunities.
• Ensure alignment between supplier capabilities and long‑term business needs.
• Work cross‑functionally with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and planning teams to ensure robust and stable supply chains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or materials management, ideally in aerospace or advanced composites.
• Strong understanding of aerospace composite materials, supply chains, and qualification processes.
• Proven ability to identify and develop new suppliers and lead technical sourcing initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and supplier‑management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.