Lead Procurement Agent

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.

Position Summary
The Lead Procurement Agent owns the end-to-end sourcing and purchasing lifecycle for complex goods and services and provides day-to-day leadership for a small team of buyers. This role blends hands-on PO execution with category strategy, supplier management, contract management, and compliance (commercial and FAR/DFARS/DPAS as applicable). The lead partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Program Finance, BD, Quality, Receiving, and Accounts Payable to protect schedule, reduce risk, and optimize total cost.

Essential Responsibilities

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead the issuance, administration, and closeout of purchase orders and subcontracts for multi-disciplinary programs; manage complex change orders and scope/schedule updates.
• Run competitive events (RFQ/RFP), analyze total cost/lead time/terms, conduct fact-based negotiations, recommend award, and maintain audit-ready source-selection files.
• Draft and negotiate commercial terms (delivery, warranty, LDs, indemnities, IP/license references, confidentiality, termination, remedies); ensure proper flowdowns and special provisions (e.g., QA notes, export controls, DPAS) are captured.
• Coordinate triage of invoice/receiving discrepancies (3-way match), resolve variances with A/P and Receiving, and drive on-time invoice release.

Supplier/Category Leadership

• Own assigned categories (e.g., avionics, structures, machining, composites, GSE, specialized test services); build supplier panels, develop should-cost/benchmarking, and drive savings/lead-time reduction.
• Establish performance management (OTD, quality, responsiveness), lead QBRs, and initiate SCARs or recovery plans for off-plan suppliers.
• Identify second sources and long-lead strategies to de-risk the build and test schedule; manage make/buy and long-lead recommendations with Program teams.

Schedule Protection & Expediting

• Stand up a visible open-order dashboard (aging, expedite priority, constraints) and drive daily/weekly expedite actions to hit need dates.
• Proactively communicate material risk to Program/Manufacturing; align mitigations (alternates, substitutes, partials, drop-ships).

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to documented procurement policies/SOPs and support CPSR-ready documentation when U.S. Government work applies.
• Implement and flow DPAS priority ratings on rated orders; coordinate supplier acknowledgment and compliance.
• Safeguard export-controlled technical data (ITAR/EAR) and sensitive information (CUI) per company policy.
• Maintain complete, organized files (requisitions, approvals, quotes, evaluations, POs, mods, correspondence).

Cross-Functional Integration

• Partner with Program Finance on forecasts, commitments, accruals, and PPV; support SIOP/MRP signals and material readiness.
• Align with Engineering/Manufacturing/Test on specifications, first-article needs, qualification/acceptance criteria, and change control.
• Coordinate with BD/Contracts on customer flowdowns and special terms impacting suppliers.

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Provide day-to-day direction for 2–5 buyers (workload balancing, coaching, escalation path); review packages for completeness and compliance.
• Champion process improvements (cycle-time reduction, clean sheet templates, approval workflows, standard clause library).
• Train requestors and new buyers on policies, systems, and best practices.

Key Metrics (owned or heavily influenced)

• On-time PO release; OTD to need date; past-due line reduction
• PPV/total cost savings; lead-time reduction; supplier quality/ppm
• Cycle time: requisition-to-PO; 3-way match aging; file audit scores
• % of rated orders properly flowed/acknowledged (DPAS compliance)

Qualifications

Required

• Prior procurement experience as a Buyer/Lead/Procurement Agent or equivalent, with hands-on purchasing systems experience.
• Demonstrated success running RFQs/RFPs, negotiating price/terms, administering POs/subcontracts, and expediting critical materials.
• Strong written/oral communication; ability to interface with suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Organized, results-driven, and proactive in a fast-paced, engineering/test environment; able to prioritize ad-hoc needs.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel pivots, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP), Outlook, and SharePoint; disciplined documentation habits.

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace/defense or complex hardware programs; exposure to FAR/DFARS, DPAS, and supplier flowdowns.
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint (requisition routing, vendor setup, PO creation, receipts inquiry, A/P interface).
• Supplier performance management (QBRs/SCARs), category strategy, and cost/lead-time improvement initiatives.
• Program or project management experience; familiarity with MRP/SIOP and material readiness.
• Basic knowledge of export controls (ITAR/EAR) and handling of CUI.

Education & Experience

• ($117,000-$153,000) Bachelor’s degree (Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field) and 3–7 years of relevant procurement experience; or 
• an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.

Work Environment & Travel

• Fast-paced R&D, manufacturing, and test setting with periodic on-site supplier visits and visits to integration/test facilities.
• Travel: ~10–20% (supplier audits, expedites, QBRs, test site support).

Additional Notes

• Eligibility to work with export-controlled information may be required based on program assignments.
• This role may require off-hours support during key build/test windows.

Benefits and our location(s): 

• 9/80 schedule
• Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
• 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
• Tuition reimbursement

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located 95 miles north of Los Angeles. To outsiders it may seem like it is the middle-of-nowhere, but it offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California’s best attractions and landmarks. Hikers will find themselves within a 2-3 hours distance of some of the best state and national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Skiers will delight in being closely distanced to world-class resorts at Mammoth Mountain, Mountain High, and Big Bear. Beachgoers can find plenty of sand, sun, and sunsets at both Southern and Central California beaches like Ventura, Huntington, Santa Monica, and Pismo. The area also offers plenty of rural area for off-roading and horseback riding enthusiasts. 

Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You’re within a half day’s drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers. 

Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state’s best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke’s in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.

Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.  For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf