Lead, Procurement

Job Description

The Lead, Procurement is responsible for leading complex procurement activities in support of defense and aerospace programs, including the including cost, schedule, technical, and performance requirements for specialized materials, equipment, and services. This role manages the full procurement lifecycle, including acquisition strategy development, solicitation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, award, post-award administration, and close out, while ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and business requirements. Operating with minimal oversight or direction, this position serves as a key procurement subject matter resource and is expected to manage high-value, high-risk, and complex procurement efforts that directly impact program execution and customer commitments. The Procurement Lead partners cross-functionally with program management, contracts, engineering, quality, finance, supply chain, and legal to develop subcontracting strategies, resolve complex supplier issues, mitigate risk, and drive successful business outcomes. This is an opportunity to join a mission-focused team supporting critical programs in a highly regulated environment.

Essential Functions:

• Leads procurement activities for complex and specialized materials, equipment, and services in support of defense and aerospace programs
• Develops and executes procurement strategies aligned with program objectives, customer requirements, compliance obligations, and business goals
• Prepares and reviews procurement specifications, statements of work, sourcing plans, bid packages, and terms and conditions for complex procurements
• Leads supplier solicitation activities, conducts bidders’ conferences, manages proposal receipt and evaluation, and supports source selection decisions
• Performs detailed cost analysis, price analysis, and overall proposal evaluation based on technical, schedule, financial, and performance considerations
• Leads negotiations for pricing, terms and conditions, schedule commitments, risk allocation, and other business provisions within delegated authority
• Oversees issuance of PO awards and the administration of procurement through the full lifecycle, including performance management, funding actions, modifications, claims support, and closeout
• Identifies, assesses, and mitigates subcontractor risk, including financial, technical, schedule, quality, and execution risk
• Resolves complex procurement issues and develops mitigation or recovery plans in coordination with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Provides procurement guidance and strategic support to program teams, ensuring alignment with technical requirements, contractual obligations, and program schedules
• Oversees the application of FAR, DFARS, customer flow-downs, and company policies to procurement actions and supplier management activities
• Supports fact-finding, audit activity, internal reviews, and compliance assessments related to subcontracting activity
• Drives continuous improvement of subcontract policies, procedures, tools, and processes to improve efficiency, compliance, and business performance
• May serve as a mentor, trainer, or informal leader to less experienced procurement professionals
• May lead cross-functional initiatives or represent the procurement function on program reviews, management reviews, and customer-facing discussions
• May sign supplier agreements and purchase orders within delegated authority
• Travel up to 25% may be required

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 8 years of prior relevant procurement experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 6 years of prior related procurement experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 12 years of prior related procurement experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements.
• Experience procuring electronic components, mechanical parts, complex assemblies, or specialized services.
• Familiarity with supplier performance management, cost analysis, and schedule risk mitigation.
• Experience supporting engineering change activity, configuration changes, and material returns.
• Working knowledge of export compliance considerations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Experience using material requirements planning or enterprise resource planning tools in a production or program environment.

9/80 Schedule