Supply Chain Manager

The Prime Search Group; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Prime Search Group in Austin, TX is seeking a procurement professional to manage long-lead, engineered components for complex programs. You will source high-speed motors, magnetic bearings, forgings, castings, pressure vessels, and test equipment while developing second-source strategies and closely partnering with Engineering.

You will qualify suppliers, monitor lead times and capacity, and support the transition from prototype to production, ensuring schedule integrity and material

Qualifications

• Experience purchasing long-lead engineered or technically complex components.
• Proven ability to identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers, including second sources.
• Experience collaborating with Engineering on design decisions affecting sourcing and manufacturability.
• Experience supporting prototype/new product development through to production.
• Ability to read and interpret BOMs, engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement of long-lead and critical components (motors, bearings, castings, pressure vessels, test equipment).
• Identify and qualify suppliers, develop second-source options to reduce single-supplier risk.
• Support purchasing from prototype to full production, ensuring sourcing decisions align with growth.
• Collaborate with Engineering on make-versus-buy determinations for internal vs external sourcing.
• Monitor supplier capacity, lead times, and availability to avoid program delays.
• Maintain supplier relationships and manage changes in drawings, specs, quantities, and delivery requirements.
• Identify supply-chain risks early and develop mitigation plans.

Skills

Long-lead component procurement

Supplier qualification & second-source

Make-vs-buy decisions

Engineering collaboration

Prototype-to-production transition

BOMs and drawings understanding

Job description

• Manage the procurement of long-lead and critical components, including high-speed motors, magnetic bearings, forgings, castings, pressure vessels, and test equipment.
• Identify and qualify suppliers for components, including developing second-source options to reduce reliance on single suppliers.
• Support purchasing requirements from the initial prototype through to full production, making sure early sourcing decisions can support future growth and volume.
• Work closely with Engineering to make make-versus-buy decisions, determining which components should be manufactured internally and which should be sourced externally.
• Monitor supplier capacity, availability, lead times to ensure materials and components are available when required and procurement does not delay the overall program.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and work through changes in drawings, specifications, quantities, and delivery requirements during the development process.
• Identify potential supply-chain risks early and develop solutions to protect prototype and production schedules.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience purchasing long-lead, engineered or technically complex components, where supplier availability and lead time are critical to project delivery.
• Strong experience identifying, evaluating, and qualifying new suppliers, including establishing alternative or second-source suppliers for critical components.
• Experience working directly with Engineering during the design and development stage, providing input on supplier capability, availability, lead times, and manufacturability.
• Experience supporting prototype or new product development, including managing suppliers while drawings and technical requirements are still evolving.
• Ability to understand BOMs, engineering drawings, specifications, materials, and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience managing supplier performance across quality, cost, lead time, capacity, and delivery.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the confidence to highlight schedule risks and provide clear supplier and lead-time information to Engineering and Program teams.
• Experience supporting the transition from prototype into production is highly desirable.

Preferred Experience

• Rotating machinery and compressor equipment
• Precision-machined components
• High-speed motors, drives, and bearings
• Forgings and castings
• Pressure vessels and pressure equipment
• Specialist fabrication
• Aerospace or defense supply chains
• Long-lead alloys and specialist materials
• Prototype-to-production or NPI environments