Director of Strategic Sourcing

Director Of Strategic SourcingAs global defense production accelerates to meet urgent national security demands, our company is experiencing rapid expansion across components, materials, and systems supporting major missile and weapons programs. The Director of Strategic Sourcing is responsible for developing and executing enterprise-wide sourcing strategies that ensure supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and scalable growth in a highly regulated aerospace and defense environment. This role leads cross-functional initiatives to optimize supplier performance, enable capacity expansion, and align procurement strategy with business objectives, including revenue growth, program execution, and risk mitigation.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Sourcing LeadershipDevelop and deploy a comprehensive strategic sourcing roadmap aligned to company growth targets (e.g., capacity scaling, new program wins, vertical integration strategy)Lead category strategies across critical commodities (e.g., electronics, machined components, plating, ordinance-related systems)Drive make vs. buy decisions, dual sourcing strategies, and long-term supplier partnershipsSupplier Strategy & PerformanceEstablish and manage a segmented supplier strategy (strategic, preferred, transactional)Lead executive-level supplier engagements to drive accountability in delivery, quality, and cost performanceOversee supplier risk management, including financial health, geopolitical exposure, and capacity constraintsCost Management & NegotiationsLead negotiations for major supplier agreements and long-term contracts.Drive cost-reduction initiatives including value engineering and competitive sourcing events.Ensure sourcing decisions support program profitability and meet contractual price targets.Compliance, Risk & Defense RequirementsEnsure sourcing activities align with DoD procurement guidelines and FAR/DFARS.Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Program Management to maintain audit-ready documentation.Develop robust supply chain risk management frameworks addressing capacity, geopolitical, and quality risks.Cross-Functional Leadership & CollaborationPartner with Operations, Program Management, Engineering, and Quality to ensure sourcing integration.Support proposal activity with costed BOMs, supplier quotations, and material strategies.Provide executive-level reporting on supply risks, spend performance, and strategic sourcing initiatives.Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop sourcing managers, buyers, and commodity specialists.Build organizational capability in negotiation, analytics, category management, and DoD compliance.QualificationsEducation:Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.Experience:10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, or procurement in aerospace & defense or regulated manufacturingProven leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional initiativesExperience scaling operations during periods of high growth in DoD programs or ITAR environmentsStrong background in supplier negotiations, contract strategy, and risk managementExperience with Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologiesBachelor's degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business or related field; MBA preferredCertifications:APICS CSCP, CPSM or equivalent highly preferred.Skills:Exceptional leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and organizational change management abilities.Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.Preferred AttributesAbility to build sourcing resiliency in fast-paced defense environments.Executive communication and influenceStrategic thinker with strong analytical and risk management skills.Experience leading cost-out initiatives, supplier turnarounds, and complex multi-year negotiations.Change leadership and transformational improvementsWhy This Role MattersAs defense production accelerates, sourcing plays a mission-critical role in ensuring delivery reliability, supplier readiness, and cost competitiveness. The Strategic Sourcing Director strengthens the supply base that underpins execution of vital national defense programs. Your leadership directly impacts supply assurance, customer confidence, and the company's ability to scale to meet urgent national security priorities.