Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing, this role leads sourcing projects, manages supplier relationships, develops category strategies, and drives cost-saving initiatives to ensure market sustainability, customer value, and supply chain innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative sourcing strategies and lead sourcing engagements across business units.
• Improve performance, optimize efficiency, ensure quality, and enable new initiatives to launch and scale.
• Manage and execute sourcing initiatives, communicating with stakeholders across various business units.
• Juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, contributing to both tactical and strategic efforts.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to identify sourcing strategies that balance business needs and efficiencies.
• Review data and market trends for key spend categories.
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings to align on sourcing priorities and requirements.
• Create and contribute to the development of category management plans.
• Provide procurement analytics and insights to support data-driven decision making.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices in strategic sourcing.
• Negotiate with C-level managers in the supplier community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Organizational or Business Management, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5+ years of Supply Chain Program support in an engineering development or production environment, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Strong leadership and demonstrated project management skills.
• Persistent in influencing others to execute responsibilities on time and escalates as needed to meet schedules.
• Negotiations experience.
• Excellent communication skills, leadership abilities, and ability to work in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment.
• Self-starter capable of achieving organizational and program objectives, interfacing with all levels of internal and supplier management.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

Qualifications

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with Oracle or similar ERP system software.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with small teams sharing broad duties.
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
• Committed to learning from mistakes and improving performance of oneself, others, and the company.
• Focuses on teamwork and prioritizes team success above individual interests.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (constant).
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (frequent).

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
• May be required to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally.
• This position requires access to information subject to ITAR and/or EAR compliance. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or be eligible for an export license.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $89,000 - $135,750. AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including location, role, responsibilities, work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401K with company matching.
• 9/80 work schedule.
• Paid holiday shutdown.

About the Company

AeroVironment (AV) specializes in breakthrough autonomous systems for defense across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Founded by innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has a 50-year history of pushing boundaries in unmanned systems, with seven platforms in the Smithsonian. The company focuses on mission-driven technology that shapes the future of warfare and protects those who serve. AV values curiosity, relentlessness, and a commitment to redefining what’s possible.