Strategic Sourcing Manger

About The Role

Riverbend Energetics is seeking an experienced Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead sourcing initiatives across critical material categories supporting our energetic components and detonator product lines. This high-impact role combines strategic supplier development with hands-on tactical execution — from negotiating long-term agreements to driving day-to-day procurement activities. The ideal candidate brings deep sourcing expertise in machined and fabricated metal parts, the ability to interpret engineering drawings and communicate technical requirements to suppliers, and a proven track record of delivering cost, quality, and supply continuity results in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned material categories, with emphasis on machined and fabricated metal parts, specialty metals, electronic components, and other materials supporting energetic device production
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T specifications, and technical requirements; translate them clearly to suppliers to ensure parts are sourced and produced to print
• Lead supplier identification, qualification, and selection processes in compliance with DFARS, ITAR, and company quality requirements
• Manage both strategic and tactical procurement activities — including RFQs, purchase orders, and supplier negotiations — to ensure uninterrupted supply
• Negotiate long-term agreements, pricing structures, and contract terms that balance cost, quality, delivery, and supply continuity objectives
• Conduct total cost of ownership analyses and identify cost reduction opportunities through value engineering, supplier consolidation, and process improvements
• Monitor commodity market trends, pricing dynamics, and supply chain risks; develop mitigation strategies for critical materials
• Manage supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with Engineering on new product development sourcing and design-for-supply considerations
• Maintain compliance with government procurement regulations and support internal and external audit requirements
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field
• 5 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management
• Demonstrated experience sourcing machined parts, fabricated metal components, or related manufactured goods
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and material specifications to communicate requirements to suppliers
• Proven success negotiating supplier contracts and achieving measurable cost reduction targets
• Ability to operate effectively at both a strategic and tactical level — managing supplier strategy while executing day-to-day procurement activities
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel
• Solid understanding of supplier quality management principles and supplier development methodologies
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• U.S. citizenship required; must be eligible to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with DFARS, ITAR, and government contract flow-down requirements
• APICS (CSCP or CPIM) or ISM (CPSM) certification
• Experience sourcing energetic materials, electronic components, or specialty chemicals
• MBA or advanced degree in a related field
• Active Secret clearance
  
  

What We Offer

• Competitive salary range of $100,000–$125,000, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match
• The opportunity to contribute directly to programs critical to U.S. national security
• A collaborative environment where supply chain is recognized and valued as a strategic function
• Professional development support, including certification assistance and tuition reimbursement
  
  

Key Requirements

• Technical Drawing Literacy & Supplier Translation Ability: Riverbend produces precision energetic components and detonators where dimensional and material tolerances are safety-critical, not merely quality preferences. A sourcing manager who cannot read GD&T callouts or material specifications will either over-rely on Engineering as an intermediary — slowing procurement cycles — or risk sourcing parts that fail qualification, causing costly delays on defense programs with fixed delivery commitments.
• Regulated Environment & Compliance Discipline (DFARS/ITAR): Riverbend operates under U.S. defense contracts with mandatory DFARS and ITAR flow-down requirements, and energetic materials carry additional regulatory scrutiny. A sourcing manager who treats compliance as an afterthought creates legal exposure, audit findings, and potential program disqualification. In a 150-person company, there is no large compliance department to catch errors — the sourcing manager must be the first line of defense.
• Strategic-Tactical Duality — Executing Without Losing the Long View: At a 150-person defense contractor, the Strategic Sourcing Manager will not have a large team buffering them from transactional work. They must negotiate a long-term agreement in the morning and process urgent purchase orders in the afternoon. Candidates who are exclusively strategic thinkers will create bottlenecks; candidates who are exclusively tactical will never build the supplier base and cost structures Riverbend needs to scale. The ability to operate fluidly across both levels is genuinely rare and critical here.
• Machined & Fabricated Metal Sourcing Expertise with Total Cost Thinking: Energetic components and detonator hardware are predominantly precision machined and fabricated metal parts — often in specialty alloys with tight tolerances and traceability requirements. A sourcing manager who understands the economics of machine shops (setup costs, run rates, material yield, batch sizing) can negotiate meaningfully and identify real cost reduction levers. One who treats machined parts like commodity purchasing will leave significant value on the table and make poor supplier selection decisions.
• Supply Continuity Ownership Under Pressure: Energetic components feed defense programs with contractual delivery schedules tied to national security priorities. A supply disruption is not merely an operational inconvenience — it can trigger contract penalties, program delays, and damage to Riverbend's reputation as a reliable sole or limited-source supplier. The ideal candidate treats supply continuity as a personal accountability, not a logistics team problem, and has demonstrated the ability to anticipate, escalate, and resolve supply risks before they become crises.
  
  

About Riverbend Energetics

Riverbend Energetics is a defense and industrial manufacturer based in Alton, IL. We develop and produce energetic materials and specialty munitions for U.S. defense and allied customers. Our mission-critical work demands precision, safety, and a commitment to excellence.