Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Embark on a career putting innovative, reliable, and agile products and ideas into orbit, and beyond. Northrop Grumman has opportunities waiting for you that play a vital role in human space exploration, national defense, and scientific discovery, supporting multiple programs across the universe.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a highly qualified and energetic leader for the position of Manager 1 Supply Chain Programs to join our team in Dulles, VA.

This is an onsite position. No relocation will be provided. This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

This individual will be responsible and accountable for the planning and execution of the supply chain strategy for all material and services content for a Program or portfolio of Programs.

Key responsibilities include program planning (i.e. developing a procurement plan for subcontracts and material while aligning Global Supply Chain (GSC) resources to meet that plan), supply chain metrics (i.e. on-time to place, on-time to need), supplier performance (i.e. line of balance, material status, supplier risk/opportunity management), and financial management (i.e. budget, sales forecasting of subcontract milestones and material).

The GSC PM will lead teams to ensure the placement and receipt of all material requirements support the program plan. If anything falls off plan, the GSC PM will be responsible to steer resources to address as appropriate. Acts as the main focal point for the Program Management Office (PMO) for the entire supply chain and coordinates cross-functionally to ensure that all supply chain commitments are met, and that appropriate mitigation plans are developed and executed to address any programmatic risks related to suppliers. Briefs the PMO and executive management on the status and issues affecting Program cost and schedule performance.

Additional duties:

Program Supply Chain Execution & Subcontract Management

Execute end-to-end material strategy and supply chain plans for assigned Development and Production Programs, aligning supply resources with customer requirements, corporate objectives, and product-line priorities
Serve as the primary supply chain focal point for assigned Program Management Offices (PMOs), ensuring all supply chain commitments are met through proactive coordination across Subcontracts, Procurement, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Manufacturing, Contracts, and Operations
Monitor and manage subcontract execution by tracking performance against Statement of Work (SOW) requirements, deliverable milestones, cost/schedule baselines, and compliance with contractual terms and conditions
Develop and execute risk mitigation plans to address programmatic challenges related to supplier performance, material availability, lead time variability, and supply chain disruptions
Manage financial forecasting and cost tracking for material purchases and subcontract obligations, coordinating with Finance and Business Management to align supplier invoice accruals and material delivery schedules with prime contract milestones, Estimate at Completion (EAC) projections, and program funding profiles to ensure accurate financial reporting and cash flow management
Provide technical and analytical support to subcontract negotiations by developing should-cost models, conducting price/cost analysis, benchmarking supplier pricing against market rates, and identifying cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality or schedule performance

Supplier Performance Management & Quality Oversight

Manage supplier performance by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) including on-time delivery (OTD), quality metrics (First-Pass Yield, defect rates, non-conformances), cost performance, and compliance with AS9100/NADCAP standards and ITAR/EAR requirements
Conduct supplier business reviews (weekly/monthly/quarterly) to analyze supplier progression, delivery performance, spend patterns, and continuous improvement initiatives; prepare executive-level supplier performance reports and scorecards
Support supplier corrective action processes by coordinating with Quality on Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), monitoring containment actions, verifying root cause analysis, and tracking closure of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

Engineering Qualification & Product Lifecycle Management

Manage qualification subcontracts for new product introductions and supplier qualifications, partnering closely with Engineering to coordinate design reviews, qualification testing requirements, and technical assessments while ensuring Subcontract Data Requirements Lists (SDRLs) deliverables—including test plans, test reports, design data packages, and certification documentation—are tracked, reviewed, and submitted on schedule
Oversee engineering-intensive qualification efforts by coordinating between suppliers, Engineering, Quality, and Mission Assurance during First Article Inspections (FAI), environmental testing, structural testing, performance validation, and reliability qualification cycles to ensure all technical requirements and acceptance criteria are met
Conduct make-vs-buy analyses and provide strategic recommendations based on total cost of ownership, supplier technical capabilities, qualification risk assessments, capacity constraints, and sourcing considerations for development and production programs
Manage product lifecycle transitions including phase-in/phase-out activities, manufacturing ramp-up/ramp-down following successful qualification, and end-of-life (EOL) material planning in coordination with Sourcing, Operations, Finance, and Engineering

Proposal & Business Acquisition Support

Develop comprehensive supply chain strategies for proposal activities, including Basis of Estimates (BOEs), material forecasts, supplier identification, make/buy plans, risk assessments, and procurement strategies for new business opportunities
Participate in Business Acquisition Process (BAP) activities and gate reviews, ensuring proposed program plans have complete and accurate schedules, budgets, resource plans, and subcontracting strategies that are executable and competitive
Provide rapid-response proposal support for quick-turn capture efforts, including competitive cost analysis, teaming arrangements, and supplier capability assessments

Strategic Planning, Reporting & Program Controls

Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings on supply chain performance, supplier scorecards, program risks, mitigation strategies, and cost/schedule impacts to senior leadership and Program Directors during Program Management Reviews (PMRs)
Develop data-driven insights and analytics using ERP, Cognos, and business intelligence tools to identify trends, support decision-making, and recommend process improvements that enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce costs
Drive continuous improvement initiatives by championing Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, process optimization, and best-in-class procurement practices to increase operational excellence

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree
Minimum 6 years of supply chain, program management, procurement, purchasing or closely related experience
At least 2 years of lead or supervisory experience
Knowledge of general procurement and subcontract execution workflows
Understanding of general manufacturing and purchasing workflows
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

Currently holds an active SCI security clearance
Experience in the Aerospace/Defense/Space industry
Understanding of forecasting and planning with an emphasis on driving execution to need with an emphasis on working knowledge of Integrated Master Schedules
Experience working with multiple complex contracting types and agreements, including Firm Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursable, and possess kn

Manager Supply Chain Programs 1

About the role