Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman's Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Director 1, you'll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This person can be based in any of the major Space Sector locations. FT remote work is not available.
The Space Sector Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Director will own the coordination of SRM activities for key Tier 1 suppliers and drive strategic engagement, risk mitigation, and performance improvement across the Space Sector supply chain. The incumbent will develop sector‑wide strategies, implement standardized processes and tools, and ensure transparent reporting of supplier performance to support timely delivery of qualified hardware.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Coordination & Governance: Manage Supplier Relationship Management for selected Tier 1 suppliers. Lead Tier 1 Supplier Executive Communication (ExComs) to focus executive attention on critical issues and maintain transparency. Conduct frequent on‑site visits to assess supplier performance and identify gaps.
Technical Capability & Gap Analysis: Perform Supplier Technical Capability Assessments.
- Engage subject‑matter experts (including supplier expertise) to proactively identify gaps and deficiencies during PDR, CDR, MRR, and TRR phases.
- Review and support Supplier Data Requirements List (SDRL) approvals.Strategic Planning & Execution: Develop sector‑wide strategy and engagement plans for strategic suppliers, aligning with sector and division priorities. Implement consistent Supplier Statement of Work (SSOW) and SDRL processes.
Process Development & Mentoring: Design and roll out processes, tools, training, and mentoring for Program Subcontract Managers and Supplier Performance Specialists. Create robust procedures for reviewing supplier key performance indicators (KPIs).
Risk & Opportunity Management: Drive risk and opportunity management processes; act as escalation point for programs seeking delivery acceleration. Collaborate with Mission Assurance on supplier‑quality root‑cause corrective action (RCCA) analysis and sector risk‑mitigation strategies.
Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Review and trend supplier performance via the quarterly Supplier Assessment Management System (SAMS) scorecard. Facilitate Return‑to‑Green (RTG) actions and develop RTG plans for each supplier. Identify high‑impact performance drivers and tie IPRS program ratings to SAMS scores and RTG plans.
Metrics & Continuous Improvement: Develop and maintain supplier delivery performance metrics and associated data‑collection processes. Utilize metrics to uncover systematic issues across the division and implement corrective actions.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 8+ years of experience
Experience in Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing and managing/directing Suppliers in all program phases
Engineering, Technical and/or Program Management experience
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s, MBA or MS degree
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of professional experience OR Master's degree with 8+ years of experience
- Experience in Aerospace and Defense manufacturing and managing/directing suppliers across all program phases
- Engineering, technical, and/or program management experience
- Ability to travel approximately 25% and conduct frequent on-site supplier visits
- Master's, MBA or MS degree
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.







