Sr. Sourcing Specialist, Electronics (Starlink)

The main responsibilities of a Sr. Sourcing Specialist at SpaceX include managing sourcing strategies for satellite hardware, aggregating overall demand for the Starlink project, and acting as the main supplier interface. This role also demands leadership in cost management and requires you to partner with stakeholders throughout the RFX process. Additionally, you're tasked with developing strong supplier partnerships and driving internal process improvements.

To qualify for the Sr. Sourcing Specialist role at SpaceX, candidates need a Bachelor's degree coupled with at least two years of experience in fields like engineering, purchasing, or operations management. Alternatively, four or more years of relevant work experience will suffice. It's essential to have a strong background in technical procurement, along with skills in material cost control and contract negotiation.

SpaceX prefers candidates with technical procurement experience, particularly in electronic components and board-level commodities. Leadership skills and a proven track record in production purchasing stand out as highly desirable additions. Familiarity with current technologies such as MS Office Suite and SQL is also a plus, alongside strong analytical skills that can contribute to effective decision-making.

The Sr. Sourcing Specialist at SpaceX may need to work irregular hours to accommodate global suppliers from various time zones. Flexibility is key, as the role may also require occasional short and extended travel to ensure effective communication and relationship-building with these partners.

Compensation for the Sr. Sourcing Specialist role at SpaceX ranges from $90,000 to $115,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. The benefits package is comprehensive, including medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave, and various discounts. Additionally, you can accrue vacation time and are entitled to multiple paid holidays each year.

When answering this question, focus on your passion for technology and supply chain management. Highlight how SpaceX’s mission aligns with your personal values and professional ambition. Discuss specific projects or innovations at SpaceX that resonate with your career goals to show genuine interest.

Discuss your strategy for maintaining open communication and establishing trust with suppliers. Explain how you approach conflict resolution and provide an example of a specific situation where you successfully turned around a challenging relationship to benefit the project.

When discussing your experience, detail a specific sourcing strategy you developed. Explain the process you followed, the data you analyzed, and how it positively impacted the project’s outcomes. This showcases your analytical and decision-making skills.

Mention the analytical data management tools you are familiar with, such as MS Excel, SQL, or any specific procurement software. Highlight how you leverage these tools to monitor KPIs and ensure supplier accountability.

Share specific experiences related to cost management, including creating should-cost models or analyzing budgets. Emphasize any direct outcomes, such as cost savings achieved, to illustrate your expertise in this area.

Discuss your time management strategies and any tools or techniques you employ to ensure that high-priority tasks are completed efficiently. Providing examples from previous jobs will strengthen your answer.

Identify factors such as clear communication, thorough evaluation criteria, and strong stakeholder collaboration. Explain how you ensure these factors are upheld in your work to guarantee a successful RFX outcome.

Discuss your methodology for identifying areas for improvement, whether through performance metrics or direct feedback. Describe a successful improvement you initiated and the strategies deployed to achieve it.

Discuss potential challenges such as fluctuating global supply chain dynamics or technological changes in hardware requirements. Sharing your transferable skills or experiences will help demonstrate your suitability for overcoming these challenges.

Emphasize your awareness of relevant regulations like ITAR and how you educate your suppliers about compliance. Discuss the importance of integrity in your sourcing processes and provide examples of how you have ensured adherence in past roles.