Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist - job 3 of 3

As a Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist at Northrop Grumman, you will engage in sourcing and managing supplier contracts, coordinating with multiple teams, drafting specifications, and ensuring compliance with procurement regulations. Your role supports the critical functions of the Maritime/Land Systems & Sensors division and you will be key in driving strategic sourcing decisions.

To be a Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist at Northrop Grumman, a Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience in supply chain or business management is essential. Preferred qualifications also include specific experience with U.S. government procurements, subcontract negotiations, and familiarity with FAR and DFARS.

The Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist position at Northrop Grumman requires about 10% travel. This may involve visiting suppliers or other locations to ensure alignment and compliance with company strategies and performance metrics.

Unfortunately, Northrop Grumman does not offer relocation assistance for the Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist position. Candidates are expected to be local to Sunnyvale, CA, or surrounding areas.

In the role of Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist at Northrop Grumman, you'll manage various contract types, including competitive and non-competitive U.S. government procurements. Your responsibilities will also encompass compliance, risk management, and performance reviews to ensure that contracts meet company and regulatory standards.

When answering this question, focus on specific instances where you've successfully managed subcontractor relationships. Discuss your negotiation strategies, how you evaluated supplier performance, and any tools you employed for relationship management, highlighting your ability to foster collaboration and resolve conflicts.

To answer this question, emphasize your familiarity with relevant regulations like FAR and DFARS. Share specific methods you have employed to maintain compliance, such as conducting regular audits, training team members, or implementing compliance tracking systems.

In your response, provide a detailed scenario where you negotiated terms that were critical for a project. Highlight your preparation, strategy, and any challenges faced, detailing how your approach led to a successful outcome while achieving cost efficiency or risk management.

Communication is vital in subcontract management. It's important to maintain open lines with contractors and internal teams to ensure alignment on goals, timelines, and compliance. Share examples illustrating how effective communication helped resolve issues or drive successful project outcomes.

Discuss your sourcing strategy, including how you identify potential suppliers, evaluate their capabilities, and ensure their alignment with your company's strategic objectives. Mention any tools or research methods you leverage to assess market trends and supplier effectiveness.

This is your chance to discuss metrics you may track, like on-time delivery rates, quality scorecards, or other assessment tools. Explain how you analyze this data to inform contract decisions and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring you select the best-performing suppliers.

Share specific examples where you've successfully identified and implemented cost-saving measures, whether through strategic negotiations or optimizing processes. Illustrate how these decisions positively impacted overall project budgets and timelines.

When faced with conflicts, I prioritize understanding the other party's perspective, gathering all relevant information, and collaborating to find common ground. Discuss a particular conflict scenario where your conflict resolution skills led to a positive result.

Describe your familiarity with Lean Six Sigma principles and how you've implemented them in previous roles to drive efficiency. Share a concrete example of how these methodologies have transformed processes or improved supplier relationships during your career.

Highlight the systems or methods you use to maintain accurate and thorough documentation of all subcontract agreements, tender processes, and compliance checks. Explain the importance of meticulous record-keeping for auditing purposes and risk mitigation.