Procurement Associate

About Astro Mechanica

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace firm focused on advancing supersonic travel to be rapid, accessible, and sustainable worldwide. They aim to revolutionize global mobility by integrating cutting-edge airframe and engine technologies, including their proprietary Duality™ propulsion system, alongside innovative flight operations. Their short-term goals include developing adaptable high-speed systems that address aircraft performance gaps for the U.S. government.

The team comprises passionate engineers characterized by a flat organization that values pragmatic, fast-paced engineering excellence over hierarchy.

Role Overview

The Procurement Associate role is tactical and execution-focused, involving prompt acquisition of critical components, materials, equipment, and services to support prototyping, testing, propulsion, and manufacturing teams. Ideal candidates are highly organized, detail-focused, and thrive in fast-moving hardware environments managing multiple concurrent procurement threads, supplier communications, and systematizing processes to ensure smooth operations. Strong communication and schedule adherence are vital.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify procurement needs by collaborating closely with engineering, prototyping, testing, propulsion, and manufacturing units to preempt potential blockages.
• Manage procurement lifecycle from early engineering input through vendor searching, quoting, negotiation, order placement, supplier follow-up, delivery tracking, and receiving.
• Sourcing diverse items including piece parts, machined components, fabricated parts, hardware, tooling, testing and lab equipment, and additional materials for technical teams.
• Ensure supplier compliance with schedules through frequent updates, lead time confirmations, risk escalation, and proactive vendor engagement.
• Maintain comprehensive procurement trackers documenting open requests, RFQs, quotes, purchase orders, supplier commitments, delivery timelines, risks, and status updates.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing to clarify specifications, drawings, quantities, revisions, acceptable alternatives, and priority deliveries.
• Develop and nurture strong relationships with essential suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers to uphold quality and reliability.
• Expand and evaluate the vendor network by qualifying new and existing suppliers.
• Forecast and mitigate supply chain risks by creating contingency strategies.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum three years’ experience in procurement, supply chain, operations, production control, manufacturing, or vendor coordination within a hardware-focused environment.
• Demonstrates a strong action orientation, adept at moving quickly, persistent follow-up, and removing schedule impediments.
• Highly organized with the capability to manage multiple parts, vendor communications, quotes, purchase orders, and delivery schedules simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret and engage with technical requirements, drawings, specifications, and part details in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Strong communicator skilled in vendor negotiations, quote sourcing, schedule validation, and escalations when necessary.
• Focused on processes and details, capable of creating effective trackers, maintaining precise records, and establishing systems where needed.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic startup environment characterized by shifting priorities and evolving processes.
• Experience or exposure to aerospace, export-controlled settings, AS9100 suppliers, or other regulated hardware industries is advantageous.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plans including medical, dental, and vision along with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) retirement plan plus a transparent stock option program.
• Flexible time-off policies encompassing PTO, paid holidays, and sick leaves.
• A work environment that promotes flexibility.

Additional Details

Astro Mechanica emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and requires employees to work onsite five days per week to support their culture and teamwork.

The company is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity and inclusivity.

Compensation Range: 155000 to 185000 USD annually.