Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors
Required skills
- strategic vendors
- supplier lifecycle
- negotiation
- performance management
- evaluation
- selection
- pricing
- terms
- long-term agreements
- supplier performance
Nice to have
- aerospace & defense
- highly regulated manufacturing
- complex hardware
- machined components
- electronics
- aerospace-grade materials
Role summary
Long Wall Company, a new player in missile defense technology, is seeking a Supply Chain Specialist for Strategic Vendors. This role is critical for managing key supplier relationships end-to-end, from sourcing and negotiation to performance management. The specialist will ensure suppliers meet stringent technical, scheduling, and compliance requirements within the fast-paced aerospace and defense sector. Responsibilities include leading sourcing activities, negotiating agreements, assessing supplier capabilities, managing performance, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations like ITAR/EAR. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain or vendor management, strong negotiation skills, and experience with ERP systems. Preferred experience includes the aerospace & defense industry and relevant certifications.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Mission-Driven Problem Solvers – The problems in missile defense demand ingenuity. We want engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.
Total Ownership – We seek those who take full responsibility for delivering flight-ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals make their teammates better, knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.
Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors
DESCRIPTION
The Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors will own Long Wall’s most critical supplier relationships, serving as the primary point of contact and accountable owner for vendors supporting our missile defense programs.
This role manages the supplier lifecycle end-to-end, from sourcing and selection through negotiation, onboarding, delivery, and ongoing performance management for the Company’s most important vendors. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Legal, this person will ensure that our suppliers meet demanding technical, scheduling, and compliance requirements. The role will also include regular travel to supplier sites for capability assessments, business reviews, and hands-on issue resolution. We’re looking for someone who treats supplier management as a craft. Someone who can build strong relationships, negotiate effectively, take ownership when issues arise, and move quickly to get to a solution. The right person will be comfortable operating with a high level of ownership in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own and manage the Company’s most critical vendor relationships, acting as the primary point of contact and single accountable owner for strategic suppliers
- Own the vendor process end-to-end- sourcing, evaluation, selection, negotiation, onboarding, delivery, and post-delivery performance management
- Lead strategic sourcing activities, including RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, supplier capability assessments, and second-source evaluations
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and long-term agreements with strategic suppliers, in partnership with Legal and Finance
- Travel to vendor sites to conduct capability assessments, quarterly business reviews, and on-site issue resolution
- Monitor and manage supplier performance against quality, cost, and on-time delivery targets, including scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action follow-through
- Manage delivery schedules and purchase order execution for owned suppliers, proactively expediting and resolving shortages, delays, and escalations
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to align supplier capabilities with technical requirements, drawings, and specifications
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and long-lead material exposure
- Ensure suppliers meet applicable compliance requirements, including ITAR/EAR export control and quality system expectations
- Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, and purchase order data in the ERP system
- Drive continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives across the supply base as the Company scales
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Depending on the position, Long Wall may require the successful completion of a national security suitability screening in addition to its standard background check. Where required, the screening is conducted by Long Wall’s Facility Security Officer following offer acceptance and may include verification of any current or prior U.S. government security clearances or public trust positions. Information provided during the screening is used solely to determine suitability for the role and is held in confidence by Security. For positions subject to this requirement, any offer of employment is contingent upon a favorable suitability determination.
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