Obtains the best quality, service, and value for products and services through effective bidding, negotiation, and supplier management. Responsible for developing, negotiating and administering major or highly complex and high risk subcontracts, ensuring compliance on supplier cost, schedule, legal and performance criteria. Manages all material related issues pertaining to new program development and serves as the main focal point for varied outsourcing projects.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for and directs all phases of the subcontract from initiation of the business case for make or buy decisions through requests for proposals, subcontract management plans, negotiation strategy, and cost accountability.
• Serves as the division’s focal point for all material related design and concurrent engineering activities including developing a procurement plan, make/buy analysis, selecting potential sources of supply, and recommending new or alternate technologies. Maintains material status, chairs material meetings, and prepares required analysis and reports. May maintain current status towards design-to-unit cost goals aimed at obtaining cost effective designs.
• Selects qualified suppliers and manufacturers and develops new supply sources of high dollar value, long lead time, critically needed parts, equipment, materials, or service. Assumes the lead role in selection and negotiation for unique or customer-sensitive subcontracts.
• Gains customer confidence in overall subcontracting capabilities. Maintains frequent formal and informal contact with customers and management regarding any issues affecting performance or cost. Conducts program reviews with the subcontractor and program office and makes decisions affecting subcontractor supplier status.
• Solicits and evaluates proposals/quotations from suppliers and negotiates prices and terms to achieve optimum results for the company. Prepares and conducts spanet surveys and bidder conferences to gather or provide information necessary to select subcontractors. Assembles pre-award documentation required for anticipated subcontracts.
• Develops company procurement negotiation objectives based on the evaluation of cost and pricing data. Conducts fact finding investigations and establishes company negotiation strategies. Negotiates long-term contract agreements with key suppliers to obtain effective prices, terms, products, and services. Prepares subcontracts, statement of work, supplier data requirement lists, contractual documents and amendments as required to comply with contract specifications.
• Administers subcontracts by interpreting and implementing the terms, conditions, and/or provisions of the purchasing agreements. Develops and administers all reporting procedures with subcontractors on rates of expenditure and analyzes such expenditures against allowed budgeted amounts. Closely monitors subcontractor and/or supplier performance to ensure contractual agreements, terms, and conditions are in compliance.
• Conducts supplier site visits and rates them as to production capability, performance and delivery, and other key business criteria. Leads supplier certification surveys as part of a technical and/or quality team.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing trade publications, establishing networks, and/or participating in professional associations.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions. Complies with Government/Commercial Practices Manual (GPM/CPM) policies and procedures.
• Shares specialized knowledge with others and may serve as functional expert. Identifies mentoring needs and trains and mentors less experienced employees. Provides project or program leadership to others in department or to ad-hoc teams.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed. Work assignments may include cross-functional or project team responsibilities (e.g. continuous improvement).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced, specialized knowledge of material requirements planning methods, principles, industry practices, and policies.
• Knowledge of complex legal and regulatory requirements related to government procurement regulations, or similar commercial or FAA requirements.
• Ability to effectively assess, lead, and implement continuous improvement in critical and/or high-impact areas.
• Proficient with standard business application software and specialized purchasing and/or materials systems (e.g. electronic data interface (EDI) or manufacturing resource planning (MRP) systems).
• Strong technical knowledge in the area of manufacturing or in the commodity that is being purchased.
• Ability to work on complex problems where in-depth analysis and evaluation of situations or data frequently require complicated negotiations.
• Ability to solve a wide range of unique problems of considerable scope and complexity that may require new approaches or significant modification of standard procedure.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex policies and recommend changes to procedures.
• Ability to respond to significant inquiries or complaints from subcontractors, customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to communicate effectively and make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to division management, bidders, suppliers, and customers.
• Ability to negotiate effectively to obtain best prices and terms on products, materials, and services.
• Ability to read blueprints and manufacturing route sheets and to understand and perform cost estimating.
• Ability to effectively demonstrate team member competencies and participate in goal-setting, performance feedback, and self-development activities.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree (BA) in Business Administration or related field (e.g. finance, law/contract law; program management) , or an equivalent combination of education and experience which has provided both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the job typically acquired through ten or more years of increasingly responsible experience in contract administration or procurement including two or more years of high-level project and customer/supplier management.
• Certificate in Purchasing Management (CPM) or Contracts Management and prior international subcontracting experience desired.

Typical mental and Physical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit. The employee frequently is required to use hands to operate a computer and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Also expected of the employee is regular attendance, the ability to work cooperatively and professionally with others and members of the public, and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Overnight, long distance travel may be required, based on the individual needs of the position.(The essential functions have been provided as examples of types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The Company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. The physical and mental demands described above are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. 

Working Conditions

Use of protective clothing, goggles, helmets with protective lenses, and other equipment to prevent burns and eye injuries

The wage range for this role considers allowances for a number of factors, including but not limited to required experience, skill level, prior training, licensure/certifications, education and other business needs. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $93,047- $155,165