Commodity Sourcing Specialist

About the role

PBS Aerospace is a rapidly growing designer and manufacturer of world-class small turbojet engines. These engines provide superior power-to-weight ratios with low fuel consumption making them the preferred choice for the most advanced US Department of Defense drone, interceptor, and missile systems. Our TJ40 and TJ80 turbojet engines power the munitions at the center of the U.S. defense strategy as advanced drones and interceptors dominate the modern battlefields. We are rapidly expanding our facilities, standing up automation, co-locating our supply chain, and building the workforce that will carry this company into the next decade. Located in the heart of Georgia's aerospace corridor, PBS Aerospace is experiencing significant growth as we expand our manufacturing, design engineering, and operational capabilities.

PBS Aerospace is seeking a motivated, results-driven Commodity Sourcing Specialist to lead and support strategic sourcing, supplier development, and ongoing management of precision machined and fabricated components for aerospace and defense applications. This role develops a capable, competitive, and reliable supplier network while ensuring timely delivery of quality components that meet engineering specifications, production schedules, and business objectives. The ideal candidate has direct experience with CNC machine shops, sheet-metal fabricators, precision manufacturing suppliers, or other custom mechanical component manufacturers—and understands manufacturing processes, cost drivers, supplier capacity, and sourcing risks.

Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Management

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing and commodity management strategies for precision-machined parts, fabricated components, and related mechanical commodities.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop strategic suppliers to expand manufacturing capabilities, strengthen the supply base, improve competitive positioning, and mitigate supply-chain risk.
• Lead complex RFIs, RFQs, competitive bid evaluations, supplier selection decisions, and commercial negotiations to achieve optimal cost, quality, delivery, and contractual terms.
• Conduct detailed should-cost and total-cost-of-ownership analyses, evaluating material costs, machining complexity, tooling, labor, setup requirements, lead times, production capacity, and other cost drivers.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives, dual-sourcing strategies, supplier consolidation, and long-term supplier partnerships; support make-versus-buy decisions and new product introduction (NPI) activities.
• Own complex commodity strategies, strategic supplier relationships, high-value sourcing initiatives, major commercial negotiations, and proactive mitigation of systemic supply risks.

Supplier Development & Performance

• Maintain supplier relationships with machine shops, fabrication houses, and specialized manufacturers.
• Assess technical capabilities, equipment, production capacity, quality systems, and business stability; participate in supplier visits and capability reviews.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality on supplier approval, corrective actions, and manufacturability issues.
• Monitor on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost performance; lead supplier recovery and continuous-improvement actions.
• Build sourcing solutions for prototype, high-volume/low-mix, and recurring production demand.

Machining & Fabrication Expertise

• Source CNC milling, CNC turning, multi-axis machining, sheet-metal fabrication, welding, and mechanical assemblies.
• Review engineering drawings, tolerances, material requirements, and manufacturing documentation to support sourcing decisions.
• Understand setup times, cycle times, tooling, material utilization, minimum order quantities, and process constraints.
• Coordinate with Engineering on design-for-manufacturing and value-engineering opportunities.
• Evaluate suppliers working with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and specialty alloys, including finishing and special processes such as anodizing, plating, heat treatment, and coatings.

Procurement, Operations & Commercial Management

• Coordinate with Buyers, Material Expeditors, Production Planning, Engineering, and Quality to align supply with operational requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, capacity commitments, and supplier agreements; support purchase order execution and long-term purchasing arrangements.
• Identify shortages, supplier delays, and capacity risks early; coordinate actionable recovery plans.
• Maintain supplier pricing, lead times, sourcing records, and ERP/MRP data integrity.
• Follow company procedures and applicable aerospace/defense customer, quality, regulatory, and contractual requirements; document savings and supplier performance.

Requirements

• Relevant procurement, sourcing, supplier management, manufacturing, or operations experience.
• Experience working with suppliers of machined, fabricated, or other custom-manufactured mechanical components.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, production lead times, and quotation evaluation.
• Strong communication, negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel; familiarity with procurement, ERP, or MRP systems.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and travel to suppliers as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Operations, or a related field, with 7+ years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement, or supplier management; or a master's degree in a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, industrial manufacturing, or other highly engineered products.
• Knowledge of CNC machining, sheet metal, welded assemblies, GD&T, and technical drawings.
• Supplier qualification and capacity assessment experience; familiarity with AS9100, AS9102 first article inspection, and NADCAP where applicable.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS flow-downs and ITAR/EAR requirements when relevant to assigned work.
• Experience with commodity strategies, long-term agreements, prototype-to-production transitions, and supplier cost improvement.
• Relevant ISM or ASCM certifications.