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Shift5 is seeking a Senior Procurement & Supply Chain Specialist to own and scale procurement and supply chain operations. This hands-on role combines tactical purchasing with strategic sourcing, requiring close partnership with Engineering, Hardware, Manufacturing, Finance, and Program teams to ensure critical materials and components are sourced at optimal cost, quality, and delivery timelines.
Key Responsibilities:
Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing: Own end-to-end purchasing for hardware, components, and materials from requisition through delivery. Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to optimize cost, quality, lead times, and availability. Lead RFP and RFQ processes for strategic sourcing and contract manufacturing. Negotiate pricing, terms, MOQs, and payment conditions. Manage purchase orders, confirmations, delivery schedules, and supplier follow-up. Partner with Engineering and Production teams to understand BOMs, production schedules, and material needs. Support new product introductions by incorporating sourcing requirements early.
Supply Chain & Risk Management: Proactively identify supply constraints, long-lead items, component obsolescence, and vendor risks before they impact programs or delivery. Monitor and manage Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) and develop mitigation strategies including alternative sourcing and lifetime buys. Monitor inventory requirements and purchasing trends to improve material availability while minimizing excess inventory. Develop and track key supply chain metrics including supplier performance, lead times, on-time delivery, purchase price variance, and material availability. Partner with Finance to align purchasing decisions with budgets and forecasts. Ship production hardware and support equipment to customers and field teams.
Procurement Operations & Scalability: Maintain accurate procurement and supplier data across company systems. Improve purchasing workflows, documentation, reporting, and operating processes. Build scalable procurement practices as the company grows. Identify and implement improvements to manual or inefficient processes. Bring greater visibility and predictability to material availability and supply chain risk.
Supplier Quality & Compliance: Support supplier selection, qualification, performance management, and relationship management. Partner with quality and contracting teams to ensure compliance with necessary certifications. Ensure purchase orders include required Supplier Quality Requirements (SQRs) and applicable flowdowns. Ensure procurement activities comply with company, customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or related function
- Experience purchasing technical components, electronics, hardware, or manufactured goods
- Strong supplier management and negotiation experience across pricing, lead times, commercial terms, and performance
- Experience working with BOMs, purchase orders, inventory, and ERP/MRP or procurement systems
- Ability to understand technical requirements and partner effectively with Engineering and Production teams
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to identify risks early and operate with high degree of ownership and urgency
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally across technical, operational, and business teams
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environment with shifting priorities
- Ability to regularly work from Rosslyn, Virginia headquarters due to shipping and receiving activities
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in aerospace, defense technology, government contracting, manufacturing, or regulated industry
- Experience with NetSuite and Jira
- Experience managing RFPs, RFQs, supplier bidding processes, and commercial proposal evaluations
- Experience sourcing electronic components, PCBAs, mechanical components, contract manufacturing, or hardware-related materials
- Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements and government contracting procurement practices
- Experience with AS9100 supplier quality, supplier audits, or supplier performance programs
- Experience managing DMSMS and component obsolescence
- Experience building or improving procurement processes within scaling organization
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field
