Strategic Sourcing Manager

LeoLabs, Inc.; Menlo Park (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonus + benefits

Job summary

LeoLabs, Inc. is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager in Menlo Park, CA to lead critical supplier strategies for radar, RF, and space hardware programs.

You will drive RFQ/RFP processes, negotiate terms, and collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Legal to ensure on-time delivery and compliance with government requirements. The role demands a deep background in aerospace/defense procurement, a track record of personnel development, and the ability to manage supplier risk in a

Qualifications

• 10+ years of strategic sourcing experience in technically complex hardware programs.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government contracts with knowledge of contract flow-downs and compliance.
• Ability to translate technical/program requirements into supplier criteria, sourcing recommendations, and risk mitigation plans.
• Proven people-management experience and ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, DPAS, ITAR, CUI, cybersecurity requirements, and government-audits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own sourcing and category strategies for critical suppliers (radar, RF, electronics, etc.).
• Lead RFQ/RFP processes, total-cost and should-cost analyses, lead times, and long-term supplier terms.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing on design for manufacturability and make-versus-buy options.
• Own supplier onboarding, governance, risk management, and contingency planning.
• Ensure sourcing complies with U.S. Government requirements and program obligations.
• Develop and coach the sourcing team, aligning priorities with program goals.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

RFQ/RFP processes

Supplier management

U.S. Government contracts

FAR/DFARS

Cross-functional leadership

ERP systems

Contract negotiation

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

At LeoLabs, we’re building theliving map of activity in space.Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO).Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions.

We’re not just building technology, we areredefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is atrusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations.

If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here.

LeoLabs is hiring a Strategic Sourcing Manager to build and execute strategies for sourcing critical technologies, components, subassemblies, equipment, and services supporting advanced radar and sensing systems. This role will establish the supplier and commercial foundation needed to support development, production readiness, deployment, and long-term supply chain resilience.

As part of the Radar Supply Chain organization, this role will partner early with Engineering, Manufacturing, Legal, Finance, Security, and Supply Chain to evaluate supply markets, assess supplier capabilities, translate technical and program requirements into sourcing strategies, and negotiate agreements that improve availability, cost, quality, scalability, and risk posture.

The ideal candidate has deep strategic sourcing experience in aerospace, defense, electronics, RF, space, or advanced manufacturing environments and is comfortable operating in complex, low-volume, high-reliability hardware programs. They should also bring a strong background in identifying, qualifying, onboarding, and sourcing from suppliers that meet U.S. Government contracting and compliance requirements, along with demonstrated experience managing and developing sourcing or procurement professionals.

This is a full-time hybrid role based in Menlo Park, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own sourcing and category strategies for critical radar, RF, electronics, mechanical, test equipment, contract manufacturing, and technical service suppliers, using market intelligence and supplier capability assessments to guide source selection.
• Lead competitive sourcing and complex commercial negotiations, including RFQ/RFP processes, total-cost and should-cost analysis, pricing, lead times, capacity commitments, long-term agreements, and strategic supplier terms.
• Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing early in design and NPI cycles to evaluate manufacturability, supplier capability, make-versus-buy options, alternate sources, and supply risks before requirements are finalized.
• Own supplier onboarding, governance, and risk management, including supplier segmentation, performance reviews, corrective actions, dual-source and contingency strategies, and coordination with Purchasing and Supply Planning on material readiness.
• Partner closely with Legal and internal stakeholders to ensure sourcing and supplier decisions comply with applicable U.S. Government contract requirements, FAR/DFARS flow-downs, domestic sourcing requirements, DPAS, ITAR, CUI, cybersecurity, security, and other program-specific obligations.
• Manage and develop assigned sourcing and procurement team members, including setting priorities, allocating work, coaching performance, supporting professional development, removing execution barriers, and ensuring team objectives align with Supply Chain and program priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, procurement, or supply chain supporting technically complex hardware programs.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies, leading RFQ/RFP processes, evaluating suppliers, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Demonstrated experience supporting U.S. Government contracts or programs, either within a government agency or in the private sector, with working knowledge of applicable supply chain compliance requirements, contract flow-downs, and supplier obligations.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS flow-downs, domestic sourcing requirements, DPAS, ITAR, CUI, cybersecurity requirements, and government-contractor audit expectations.
• Ability to assess technical and program requirements and translate them into supplier selection criteria, sourcing recommendations, and risk mitigation plans.
• Proven ability to operate as a senior cross-functional partner, influence technical and business stakeholders, and make sound sourcing decisions in complex or ambiguous environments.
• Demonstrated people-management experience, including managing individual contributors, setting priorities and expectations, providing coaching and performance feedback, supporting professional development, and ensuring team objectives and commitments are met.
• Experience with ERP, procurement, supplier management, or sourcing data systems.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Personnel Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience sourcing radar, RF, satellite or space hardware, electronics, precision mechanical assemblies, test equipment, or contract manufacturing services.
• Experience structuring and negotiating long-term agreements, master service agreements, capacity commitments, or other strategic supplier arrangements.
• Experience sourcing and managing suppliers in ITAR, export-controlled, or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and scaling supplier readiness from prototype and early builds through production.
• CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential; familiarity with NetSuite, sourcing and contract tools, supplier scorecards, and compliance reporting.
• Experience supporting classified programs and working with suppliers in secure environments.

Within 1 month, you'll:

• Complete onboarding and understand LeoLabs' Radar Supply Chain structure, sourcing workflows, approval processes, key supplier base, active hardware program priorities, and applicable U.S. Government supply chain requirements.
• Build working relationships with assigned team members and partners across Engineering, Procurement, Supply Planning, Finance, Legal,Security,and Manufacturing; understand team responsibilities, priorities, and development needs.
• Assess the current supplier landscape, including active sourcing actions, contractual coverage, onboarding and compliance gaps, long-lead materials, sole-source dependencies, and key supply risks.

Within 3 months, you'll:

• Independently own sourcing activities for select categories or suppliers, including market analysis, competitive sourcing, supplier capability assessments, and sourcing recommendations.
• Lead negotiations and supplier selection decisions for priority requirements, balancing cost, lead time, quality, capacity, compliance, and commercial risk.
• Establish clear priorities and operating rhythms for assigned team members while maintaining regular cross-functional alignment on sourcing, onboarding, NPI, compliance, and material readiness priorities.

Within 6 months, you'll:

• Develop and execute category strategies for critical supplier segments, including alternate-source development, supplier rationalization, long-term commercial strategies, and risk mitigation.
• Implement supplier relationship management routines for strategic suppliers, including business reviews, performance expectations, corrective actions, and escalation pathways.
• Develop a high-performing sourcingand procurement team through clear ownership, workloadprioritization, coaching, and accountability for team objectives.

Within 12 months, you'll:

• Serve as a trusted Supply Chain leader for strategic sourcing and supplier management while building team capabilities and scalable practices for radar and U.S. Government programs.
• Institutionalize a scalable strategic sourcing framework that strengthens supplier optionality, contract coverage, audit readiness, negotiation leverage, and sourcing cycle time.
• Deliver measurable improvements in supplier performance, lead-time visibility, capacity assurance, compliance, supply continuity, and overall supply chain resilience.

The base salary range for this position is $165,000 - $175,000+ bonus + stock options + benefitsCompensation Note: The salary range for this position is benchmarked based on the designated primary work location for the role. Final compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's work location, applicable market data, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.