Strategic Sourcing Lead – AUKUS Submarine Industrial Base

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The AUKUS, Submarines, and Industrial Base Group (ASIG), within the Sea, Land, Air Division, provides timely, objective, analytic assessments that integrate technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis to NAVSEA Team Submarine program offices and key stakeholders surrounding submarine platform construction.  Team Submarine unifies submarine platform procurement activities, which includes the Columbia-class SSBN program (a Major Defense Acquisition Program and the Navy’s top acquisition priority), the Virginia-class SSN program and the new SSN-X program (developing the next generation attack submarine), to bring improved capabilities to our undersea forces.  Analysts and Engineers supporting Team Submarine will continue SPA’s decades of support to the SSBN force, as well as supporting oversight of cutting-edge attack submarine construction, assisting in developing the design requirements for the SSN platform of the future, and helping plan and execute new and innovative strategies to strengthen the critical submarine shipbuilding industrial base. These are high-profile, major acquisition and manufacturing programs of significant importance to the future capabilities of the US Navy in an era of renewed strategic competition.

SPA has an immediate need for a Strategic Sourcing Lead supporting Industrial Base Analysis for AUKUS efforts in Alexandria, VA. #MC

Responsibilities

The Strategic Sourcing Lead is responsible for overseeing initiatives aimed at coordinating various vendor qualification efforts to establish a robust, resilient, and trilateral submarine industrial base. This role specifically focuses on key areas at the intersection of spend plan requirements, external vendor relationship management, and industrial capabilities enhancement. The lead will be tasked with evaluating parts and components for the Virginia Class Submarines (VCS) and identifying and assessing potential suppliers to meet the program's requirements.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and understand underlying patterns in complex supply chains, which will include working adjacent to industrial base suppliers. They should also have a proven track record of collaborating with diverse stakeholders across multiple functions. Effective communication is key, as the candidate will be required to clearly convey findings and recommendations at all organizational levels, including working closely with visualization professionals to ensure data and insights are communicated effectively. The Strategic Sourcing Lead plays a critical role in supporting the Navy’s strategic sourcing goals, driving continuous improvement in supplier selection, cost optimization, and supply chain performance.

This position is based out of SPA's Alexandria, VA HQ, with potential for light telework and some travel to client and stakeholder locations, including potential international travel.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree political science, statistics, mathematics or related field
• 5+ years of experience as a finance or acquisitions professional supporting defense manufacturing, Navy shipbuilding, or defense acquisition initiatives 
• Proven ability to navigate, coordinate, and communicate between government and private industry stakeholders
• Proven ability to use Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint, to perform data analysis and communicate to decision makers
• Current DoD security clearance - minimum Secret, with the ability to maintain it throughout employment

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience working on Navy Undersea Warfare Systems, submarine, or other undersea related programs
• Direct experience working in defense manufacturing
• Experience supporting foreign military sales (FMS) and DoD Acquisition program(s)
• Experience developing or implementing advanced technology, supply chain, industrial base, or manufacturing improvement and risk reduction initiatives
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