Strategic Sourcing Buyer Staff IV – Indirect Goods and Services

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Strategic Sourcing Buyer Level IV – Indirect Goods and Services to lead sourcing, supplier management, and category leadership across the enterprise. You will partner with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive value, cut costs, and ensure compliance with government procurement requirements.

On-site role requiring a Bachelor’s degree and at least six years in strategic sourcing, with strong Excel/Office skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or supplier management.
• Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook proficiency required.
• Understanding of procurement lifecycle from strategy to supplier management.
• Ability to design and sustain procurement schedules and pricing strategies.
• Strong financial acumen and data analysis for bid evaluations and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and procurement of indirect goods and services to drive value and supplier performance.
• Evaluate and improve sourcing activities, analyze market conditions and cost structures.
• Conduct formal market analysis to support strategy development.
• Develop negotiation strategies, contract structures, and pricing models.
• Administer sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs) and manage supplier negotiations.
• Forecast and plan demand for assigned categories and contracts.
• Implement procedures to evaluate supplier performance and cost competitiveness.
• Manage post-award supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Category management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Procurement lifecycle

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain or related field

Tools

Ariba

SAP

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Job Summary

The Supply Chain department manages all aspect of procurement for The Aerospace Corporation. As a Strategic Sourcing Buyer Level IV – Indirect Goods and Services, you will apply for your experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category leadership to deliver value across multiple business areas. S/he will partner with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive operational efficiency, manage costs, and support innovation while ensuring compliance with corporate and government procurement requirements. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the sourcing and procurement of indirect goods and services to drive competitive value, supplier performance, and operational excellence across the enterprise
• Evaluate and improve sourcing activities, analyzing supplier performance, market conditions, and cost structures to identify opportunities for efficiency and innovation
• Conduct formal market analysis to assess market trends, behaviors, and cost drivers to support sourcing strategy development
• Develop negotiation strategies, contract structures, and pricing models to ensure best value outcomes and risk mitigation
• Administer sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs), lead supplier selection, and manage negotiations and award processes in alignment with category strategies
• Forecast and plan product and service demand for assigned categories and contracts, ensuring alignment with business needs
• Implement procedures and tools to continuously evaluate supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and deliverability
• Manage post-award supplier performance through Supplier Relationship Management, continuous improvement initiatives, and innovation across assigned categories

What You Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Strategic Sourcing Buyer Level IV – Indirect Goods and Services include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain or related field is required
• A minimum of (6) years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or supplier management is required
• Exceptional skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, ensuring efficient document preparation, data analysis, and communication are required
• In-depth understanding and hands‑on experience managing the full procurement lifecycle—from developing sourcing strategies to effective supplier management
• Proven ability to design, implement, and sustain rigorous procurement schedules, ensuring timely completion and superior coordination of projects
• Strong financial acumen coupled with analytical prowess to craft comprehensive pricing strategies, perform robust bid evaluations, and substantiate pricing reasonableness
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and not require employer sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced proficiency with Ariba and SAP systems, leveraging these platforms to streamline procurement processes and enhance strategic sourcing efficiency is strongly preferred
• Proven track record in the aerospace sector, adept at navigating its unique regulatory and quality standards to support effective procurement operations is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to establish and manage comprehensive strategic purchasing agreements across a range of indirect categories, including office supplies; IT materials and services; marketing services; capital expenditures; HR-related services (recruitment, training, contract labor); travel management services; professional consulting; facilities maintenance, repair, and operations; as well as design and construction sourcing methodologies (e.g., Job Order Contracts) is preferred

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

Min - Max

$107,000.00 - $160,500.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry‑leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.