Sr Principal Supply Chain Procurement Specialist

As a Sr Principal Supply Chain Procurement Specialist at Northrop Grumman, your primary responsibilities include sourcing and procuring goods and services, analyzing proposals from suppliers, managing purchase orders, and ensuring compliance with regulations. This role also necessitates evaluating supplier quality and performance, making cost-saving recommendations, and maintaining effective communication with various teams.

To apply for the Sr Principal Supply Chain Procurement Specialist position at Northrop Grumman, you need a minimum of 8 years of experience in supply chain, finance, or business or 6 years with a master's degree. It's also essential to have knowledge of FAR/DFAR regulations and procurement or supply chain experience.

Northrop Grumman is committed to employee development, offering numerous opportunities for career growth through training programs, mentorship, and access to a network of professionals. As a Sr Principal Supply Chain Procurement Specialist, you'll be able to enhance your skills while contributing to innovative projects.

In this role at Northrop Grumman, you might work with systems like SAP, which is vital for managing procurement processes and supplier relationships. Familiarity with these technologies will enhance your ability to perform effectively in your position.

Northrop Grumman offers a competitive range of benefits, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, and paid time off for vacation. Additionally, employees may be eligible for bonuses and other incentives based on performance and contribution.

In answering this question, focus on specific projects you've managed, the types of goods or services you've procured, and how you've navigated challenges. Highlight your understanding of supply chain processes and how your contributions led to improved efficiency or cost savings.

Discuss your approach to supplier selection, including criteria you consider (such as quality, reliability, and pricing). Mention any analytical tools or frameworks you use to assess potential suppliers and how you maintain communication with them throughout the procurement process.

Share specific negotiation tactics you've successfully used in past roles. Emphasize the importance of building relationships and understanding suppliers’ needs, which can help you negotiate better terms while ensuring both parties feel valued.

Explain your experience with regulatory compliance, outlining any systems or checklists you implement to ensure adherence to FAR/DFAR guidelines. You can also mention how you stay up to date with policy changes and train your team on compliance matters.

Choose a specific example that showcases your problem-solving skills. Clearly outline the challenge, the steps you took to address it, and the positive outcome that resulted from your interventions. This demonstrates your ability to handle obstacles effectively.

Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) you track to assess supplier performance. Explain your approach to gathering feedback from internal stakeholders and how you manage any issues that arise during the contract lifecycle.

Highlight the importance of teamwork in your procurement role. Describe how you engage with cross-functional teams, such as engineering and logistics, to ensure specifications are met, and how collaboration leads to better decision-making.

Talk about specific methods you've used to reduce costs, such as renegotiating contracts, bulk purchasing, or seeking out alternative suppliers. Emphasize the need for balancing costs with quality and service.

Provide examples of how you approach conflict resolution. This could include open communication, seeking mutually beneficial solutions, and focusing on maintaining strong working relationships for the future.

Mention any software you have experience with, such as SAP or other ERP systems. Discuss how these tools help you manage the procurement process efficiently and streamline communications with suppliers.