Description
The future of aerospace and defense starts here.
Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.
The Director, Sourcing & Procurement is responsible for leading the strategic and operational procurement function across direct materials, supplier quality, and supplier engineering. This role will support efficient, scalable manufacturing operations within a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment. This role drives sourcing strategy, supplier performance, quality compliance, and supplier development initiatives to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and operational excellence. The Director will partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Quality, Program Management, and Finance to enable reliable execution of aerospace and defense programs while strengthening supplier capabilities and mitigating supply chain risk.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end procurement function, including strategic sourcing, supplier management, supplier quality, and supplier engineering initiatives
- Develop, transform, and execute sourcing strategies that align with program requirements, production schedules, and long-term business objectives. Balance fast-paced development requirements with mature customer programs
- Establish and create category management strategy for supply base
- Build and maintain a high-performing supplier base capable of supporting aerospace and defense manufacturing requirements, including scalability, quality, delivery, and cost targets
- Lead supplier engineering efforts to improve supplier process capability, product conformity, and manufacturing readiness
- Manage supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery, quality performance, responsiveness, and cost reduction initiatives
- Partner closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to support new product introduction (NPI), qualification activities, first article inspections (FAI), and supplier readiness for production ramp
- Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process improvement methodologies
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including long-lead material constraints, single-source dependencies, geopolitical concerns, and supplier capacity limitations
- Lead contract negotiations, pricing strategies, and supplier agreements to optimize cost, lead time, and commercial terms
- Ensure procurement and supplier management activities comply with aerospace and defense regulatory requirements, including ITAR/EAR and AS9100 standards
- Develop deep knowledge of ERP/MRP systems to improve procurement process including material visibility, purchasing efficiency, and inventory performance
- Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Planning, Program Management, and Finance to align procurement strategies with production and customer delivery commitments
- Drive process standardization, procurement policy improvements, and scalable systems to support organizational growth
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement and supplier engineering team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement
- Provide regular reporting and strategic insights to executive leadership regarding supplier performance, material availability, procurement risk, and cost trends
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, supplier quality, or supplier engineering within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments
- Proven experience leading procurement and supplier management functions in a complex, cross-functional organization
- Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost management, and procurement operations
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier quality and supplier development initiatives in regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience supporting production scaling, new product introduction, and engineering-driven procurement activities
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, technical drawings, specifications, and quality systems
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and procurement planning tools
- Strong leadership and team management experience
- Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
Preferred Experience:
- Advanced degree (MBA or MS) in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, or related field
- Experience in a high-growth or startup aerospace and defense company
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