Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role:

We are seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to drive sourcing strategy, supplier management, and procurement execution across production and new product introduction (NPI) programs. This role is critical to ensuring Northwood has the supplier partnerships, commercial agreements, and material availability needed to scale next-generation space communication systems.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for commodities, components, and suppliers to support production, NPI programs, and long-term supply continuity.

• Lead supplier sourcing activities, including RFQs/RFIs, supplier evaluation and selection, commercial analysis, and contract negotiations to achieve cost, quality, and delivery objectives.

• Manage procurement execution through purchase orders, material planning, and supplier coordination to ensure alignment with production schedules and program priorities.

• Monitor and improve supplier performance, driving on-time delivery, resolving supply issues, and proactively mitigating risks through alternate sourcing, capacity planning, and supplier development.

• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program teams to support supplier selection, material readiness, production ramp-up, and test activities.

• Analyze supplier spend, market conditions, and cost drivers to identify savings opportunities, while maintaining accurate ERP data and driving continuous improvement of sourcing processes and tools.

Basic Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in direct procurement, purchasing, material planning, or supply chain in a manufacturing environment

• Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, basic data analysis)

• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier relationships, and working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting NPI or prototype builds, or in a startup or high-growth environment

• Background in aerospace, satellite, telecommunications, or defense industries or familiarity with PCBAs, electromechanical assemblies, or complex hardware systems

• Exposure to MRP planning concepts and execution

Additional Requirements:

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, Northwood Space reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with optional needs.

• This role requires being on-site 5 days per week

Compensation:

Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long-term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses. Benefits include equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, flexible time off, 10 or more paid holidays per year, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Additional Information:

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.