Strategic Sourcing Manager

About the role

Radiant is seeking a proactive and technically-minded Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the discovery, qualification, and development of new suppliers and manufacturing technologies in support of our micro-reactor program.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Supplier Discovery: Proactively identify and research new potential suppliers and manufacturing technologies across domestic and (where permissible) international markets, including specialized, niche, or emerging process capabilities relevant to nuclear-grade hardware.
• Design-to-Supplier Matching: Partner with Engineering to interpret drawings, specifications, and material requirements, and translate them into supplier search criteria — matching part complexity, tolerances, materials, and process needs to real supplier capability.
• Supplier Vetting & Qualification: Lead initial supplier vetting, including capability assessments, facility questionnaires, and preliminary risk screening, in coordination with SDEs and Quality on technical and quality qualification.
• New Part Introduction (NPI) Support: Act as the commercial and program-management thread for new parts through their qualification lifecycle — coordinating purchase order issuance, first articles, prototype builds, and pilot runs between the supplier, Engineering, and Quality.
• Supplier PM through Production: Once a supplier/part is qualified, manage the transition into steady-state delivery — issuing and managing purchase orders, tracking schedule, resolving early production issues, and ensuring a smooth handoff toward on-time, recurring delivery.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work seamlessly with SDEs on technical/quality qualification, with Engineering on design intent and make/buy decisions, and with Procurement/Planning on transitioning qualified suppliers into the standard sourcing and PO process.
• Market Intelligence: Maintain awareness of supply market trends, capacity constraints, and geopolitical risk factors affecting candidate suppliers and technologies, particularly for nuclear-grade and DFARS-relevant materials and processes.
• Process Improvement: Help build and refine Radiant's supplier discovery, vetting, and onboarding processes and tools as the sourcing function matures.
• Purchase Order Support: Assist with placing purchase orders and monitoring purchase order health (open PO aging, delivery status, discrepancy resolution) as needed to support program timelines.
• Supplier RCCA Support: Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities with suppliers as issues arise, coordinating with SDEs and Quality to drive timely resolution and closure.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3–8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier development, or new product introduction, preferably within manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or energy sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Strong track record of identifying and qualifying new suppliers, particularly for complex or low-volume/high-mix components.
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), including comfort engaging directly with supplier engineering and operations teams.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and standard office software.
• Ability and willingness to travel to supplier locations for capability assessments and audits (up to 20%–40% depending on program phases).

Desired Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in the nuclear energy, aerospace, or defense industries, or working with nuclear codes and standards (NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, 10 CFR 21, ASME BPVC Section III & VIII).
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing, precision machining, forming, or specialty material processing.
• Experience conducting supplier audits, facility assessments, or first article inspections.
• Familiarity with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100) and their role in supplier qualification.
• Understanding of DFARS/ITAR-relevant sourcing constraints for regulated industries.