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Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a highly qualified and energetic leader for the position of Manager 1 Supply Chain Programs to join our team in Dulles, VA.
This is an onsite position. No relocation will be provided. This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.
This individual will be responsible and accountable for the planning and execution of the supply chain strategy for all material and services content for a Program or portfolio of Programs.
Key responsibilities include program planning (i.e. developing a procurement plan for subcontracts and material while aligning Global Supply Chain (GSC) resources to meet that plan), supply chain metrics (i.e. on-time to place, on-time to need), supplier performance (i.e. line of balance, material status, supplier risk/opportunity management), and financial management (i.e. budget, sales forecasting of subcontract milestones and material).
The GSC PM will lead teams to ensure the placement and receipt of all material requirements support the program plan. If anything falls off plan, the GSC PM will be responsible to steer resources to address as appropriate. Acts as the main focal point for the Program Management Office (PMO) for the entire supply chain and coordinates cross-functionally to ensure that all supply chain commitments are met, and that appropriate mitigation plans are developed and executed to address any programmatic risks related to suppliers. Briefs the PMO and executive management on the status and issues affecting Program cost and schedule performance.
Additional duties:
Program Supply Chain Execution & Subcontract Management- Execute end-to-end material strategy and supply chain plans for assigned Development and Production Programs, aligning supply resources with customer requirements, corporate objectives, and product-line priorities
- Serve as the primary supply chain focal point for assigned Program Management Offices (PMOs), ensuring all supply chain commitments are met through proactive coordination across Subcontracts, Procurement, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Manufacturing, Contracts, and Operations
- Monitor and manage subcontract execution by tracking performance against Statement of Work (SOW) requirements, deliverable milestones, cost/schedule baselines, and compliance with contractual terms and conditions
- Develop and execute risk mitigation plans to address programmatic challenges related to supplier performance, material availability, lead time variability, and supply chain disruptions
- Manage financial forecasting and cost tracking for material purchases and subcontract obligations, coordinating with Finance and Business Management to align supplier invoice accruals and material delivery schedules with prime contract milestones, Estimate at Completion (EAC) projections, and program funding profiles to ensure accurate financial reporting and cash flow management
- Provide technical and analytical support to subcontract negotiations by developing should-cost models, conducting price/cost analysis, benchmarking supplier pricing against market rates, and identifying cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality or schedule performance
- Manage supplier performance by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) including on-time delivery (OTD), quality metrics (First-Pass Yield, defect rates, non-conformances), cost performance, and compliance with AS9100/NADCAP standards and ITAR/EAR requirements
- Conduct supplier business reviews (weekly/monthly/quarterly) to analyze supplier progression, delivery performance, spend patterns, and continuous improvement initiatives; prepare executive-level supplier performance reports and scorecards
- Support supplier corrective action processes by coordinating with Quality on Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), monitoring containment actions, verifying root cause analysis, and tracking closure of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
- Manage qualification subcontracts for new product introductions and supplier qualifications, partnering closely with Engineering to coordinate design reviews, qualification testing requirements, and technical assessments while ensuring Subcontract Data Requirements Lists (SDRLs) deliverables—including test plans, test reports, design data packages, and certification documentation—are tracked, reviewed, and submitted on schedule
- Oversee engineering-intensive qualification efforts by coordinating between suppliers, Engineering, Quality, and Mission Assurance during First Article Inspections (FAI), environmental testing, structural testing, performance validation, and reliability qualification cycles to ensure all technical requirements and acceptance criteria are met
- Conduct make-vs-buy analyses and provide strategic recommendations based on total cost of ownership, supplier technical capabilities, qualification risk assessments, capacity constraints, and sourcing considerations for development and production programs
- Manage product lifecycle transitions including phase-in/phase-out activities, manufacturing ramp-up/ramp-down following successful qualification, and end-of-life (EOL) material planning in coordination with Sourcing, Operations, Finance, and Engineering
- Develop comprehensive supply chain strategies for proposal activities, including Basis of Estimates (BOEs), material forecasts, supplier identification, make/buy plans, risk assessments, and procurement strategies for new business opportunities
- Participate in Business Acquisition Process (BAP) activities and gate reviews, ensuring proposed program plans have complete and accurate schedules, budgets, resource plans, and subcontracting strategies that are executable and competitive
- Provide rapid-response proposal support for quick-turn capture efforts, including competitive cost analysis, teaming arrangements, and supplier capability assessments
- Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings on supply chain performance, supplier scorecards, program risks, mitigation strategies, and cost/schedule impacts to senior leadership and Program Directors during Program Management Reviews (PMRs)
- Develop data-driven insights and analytics using ERP, Cognos, and business intelligence tools to identify trends, support decision-making, and recommend process improvements that enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce costs
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives by championing Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, process optimization, and best-in-class procurement practices to increase operational excellence
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 6 years of supply chain, program management, procurement, purchasing or closely related experience
- At least 2 years of lead or supervisory experience
- Knowledge of general procurement and subcontract execution workflows
- Understanding of general manufacturing and purchasing workflows
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Currently holds an active SCI security clearance
- Experience in the Aerospace/Defense/Space industry
- Understanding of forecasting and planning with an emphasis on driving execution to need with an emphasis on working knowledge of Integrated Master Schedules
- Experience working with multiple complex contracting types and agreements, including Firm Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursable, and possess knowledge relating to special payment provisions (progress of performance base payments).
- In-depth experience with proposal process, pricing instructions, terms and conditions and evaluating the adequacy of subcontractor proposals received.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 6 years of supply chain, program management, procurement, purchasing, or closely related experience
- At least 2 years of lead or supervisory experience
- Knowledge of general procurement and subcontract execution workflows
- Understanding of general manufacturing and purchasing workflows
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Active SCI security clearance
- Experience in the aerospace, defense, or space industry
- Experience with forecasting, planning, and Integrated Master Schedules
- Experience with Firm Fixed Price and Cost Reimbursable contracting types and special payment provisions
- Experience with proposal processes, pricing instructions, terms and conditions, and subcontractor proposal evaluation
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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