Strategic Sourcing Manager (R4251)

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in Dallas, TX, seeks a Manager of Strategic Sourcing – Electronics to lead global sourcing for electronic components, PCBA, harnesses, and embedded systems. You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program management to build a robust supply base and optimize total cost of ownership.

The role requires 7+ years in electronics sourcing, defense/aerospace experience, and strong negotiation and leadership skills to drive cost reductions while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Electrical Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred) or equivalent relevant experience.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or supply chain management with a focus on electronics, PCBA, or electromechanical commodities.
• Proven experience in defense, aerospace, or high-reliability electronics manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, cost reduction initiatives, and long-term contract management.
• Deep understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, including PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, and harness production.
• Strong business acumen with ability to translate technical and commercial data into strategic sourcing actions.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and cross-functional leadership skills

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term sourcing strategy for electronic and electromechanical components, including PCBAs, harnesses, connectors, sensors, and embedded systems.
• Own the supplier category roadmap — balancing cost, technology, capacity, and risk management across global supply chains.
• Drive make-vs-buy analyses and business cases that optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) and mitigate single-source risk.
• Establish sourcing policies, metrics, and governance aligned with corporate and program-level goals.
• Identify, qualify, and develop a strategic supplier base capable of supporting high-mix, low-to-medium volume production for aerospace and defense applications.
• Negotiate and manage long-term agreements (LTAs), supplier performance reviews, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Lead supplier business reviews and quarterly operating reviews (QBRs) focusing on delivery, quality, cost, and technical capability.
• Partner with Supplier development and Engineering to ensure AS9100 compliance, FAI completion, and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Engineering to ensure early supplier involvement (ESI) during product development and NPI phases.
• Work closely with Operations and Program Teams to align material readiness with production schedules and customer milestones.
• Partner with Finance and Legal to structure commercial terms, manage supplier liabilities, and ensure compliance with DFARS, ITAR, and export regulations.
• Support supply risk management and business continuity planning across all electronics categories.
• Lead cost modeling, benchmarking, and should-cost analysis to guide sourcing decisions.
• Utilize ERP/MRP and analytics tools to manage spend visibility, supplier KPIs, and material forecasting accuracy.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing sourcing team focused on execution excellence, supplier innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Negotiation skills

Cost optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Electrical Engineering or related field (Master’s preferred) or equivalent experience

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Electronics will lead the global sourcing strategy, supplier management, and cost optimization initiatives for Shield AI’s electronic components, PCBA, harnessing, and subsystem commodities. This leader will partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program management teams to ensure supply continuity, competitive cost structures, and the development of a robust, technically capable supply base supporting current and future product lines.

What you’ll do

• Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the long-term sourcing strategy for electronic and electromechanical components, including PCBAs, harnesses, connectors, sensors, and embedded systems.

• Own the supplier category roadmap — balancing cost, technology, capacity, and risk management across global supply chains.

• Drive make-vs-buy analyses and business cases that optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) and mitigate single-source risk.

• Establish sourcing policies, metrics, and governance aligned with corporate and program-level goals.

• Supplier Management

• Identify, qualify, and develop a strategic supplier base capable of supporting high-mix, low-to-medium volume production for aerospace and defense applications.

• Negotiate and manage long-term agreements (LTAs), supplier performance reviews, and cost-reduction initiatives.

• Lead supplier business reviews and quarterly operating reviews (QBRs) focusing on delivery, quality, cost, and technical capability.

• Partner with Supplier development and Engineering to ensure AS9100 compliance, FAI completion, and audit readiness.

• Cross-Functional Execution

• Collaborate with Engineering to ensure early supplier involvement (ESI) during product development and NPI phases.

• Work closely with Operations and Program Teams to align material readiness with production schedules and customer milestones.

• Partner with Finance and Legal to structure commercial terms, manage supplier liabilities, and ensure compliance with DFARS, ITAR, and export regulations.

• Support supply risk management and business continuity planning across all electronics categories.

• Data & Process Ownership

• Lead cost modeling, benchmarking, and should-cost analysis to guide sourcing decisions.

• Utilize ERP/MRP and analytics tools to manage spend visibility, supplier KPIs, and material forecasting accuracy.

• Develop and mentor a high-performing sourcing team focused on execution excellence, supplier innovation, and continuous improvement.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Electrical Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred) or equivalent relevant experience
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or supply chain management with a focus on electronics, PCBA, or electromechanical commodities
• Proven experience in defense, aerospace, or high-reliability electronics manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, cost reduction initiatives, and long-term contract management
• Deep understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, including PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, and harness production
• Strong business acumen with ability to translate technical and commercial data into strategic sourcing actions
• Excellent communication, influencing, and cross-functional leadership skills

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.