Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Manager — Equity & Hybrid

Wheel the World; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment (LA Office)

Equity opportunities

Unlimited PTO

Health and wellness

Cutting-edge tools

Mission-driven culture

Inclusive team

Job summary

Observable Space is seeking a Sourcing & Procurement Manager to own day-to-day purchasing and drive category strategy across our Los Angeles, Adrian, and Detroit sites. You will manage supplier relationships, lead RFQ/RFP processes, and influence cost optimization for ground-based and space optics programs.

You will collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams, own PO lifecycle, and ensure policy compliance while advancing supply chain resilience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years purchasing or procurement with strategic sourcing and hands-on buying
• Proven success negotiating supplier agreements and managing vendor relationships
• Familiarity with optical systems, precision hardware, or aerospace/defense supply chains preferred
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, NetSuite, or similar)
• Comfortable working with data: spend analysis, supplier scorecards, and cost modeling
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred
• CPSM, CPIM, or equivalent certification is a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for precision optics, electromechanical components, and related hardware
• Lead competitive RFQ/RFP processes, evaluating suppliers across quality, cost, lead time, and supply risk
• Support make-vs-buy analyses and bring data-driven recommendations to sourcing and engineering decisions
• Identify opportunities to consolidate the supplier base, reduce total cost of ownership, and improve supply chain resilience
• Monitor supply market conditions and proactively surface risks and opportunities to leadership
• Build and own relationships with key suppliers
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and contractual conditions for standard and non-standard purchases
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and drive corrective actions where needed
• Onboard new suppliers in coordination with quality and engineering teams
• Own the full purchase order lifecycle — from requisition through receipt and invoice reconciliation
• Ensure all spend follows corporate approval processes and procurement policies
• Manage open orders, expedite critical deliveries, and resolve supplier issues to keep programs on schedule
• Coordinate closely with the Logistics team to optimize inbound freight and delivery planning
• Maintain accurate records and spend data in ERP/procurement systems
• Support inventory management activities including safety stock planning and excess/obsolete material disposition
• Serve as the primary purchasing point of contact for engineering, software, manufacturing, and operations teams across LA and Michigan sites
• Engage early in new product introduction processes to support supplier identification and component qualification
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the procurement function

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Aerospace supply chain

Data analysis

ERP systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

CPSM/CPIM certification

Tools

SAP

NetSuite

Job description

Observable Space is seeking a Sourcing & Procurement Manager to own day-to-day purchasing and drive category strategy across our Los Angeles, Adrian, and Detroit sites. You will manage supplier relationships, lead RFQ/RFP processes, and influence cost optimization for ground-based and space optics programs.

You will collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams, own PO lifecycle, and ensure policy compliance while advancing supply chain resilience.