Commodities Specialist

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Who we are

At Virgin Orbit, we launch the small satellite revolution, accessing space for missions that were previously unimaginable and fostering new ideas and technologies to create a truly spacefaring civilization. We deliver Virgin’s legendary customer service by pairing technological advancements with a clear focus on our customers’ needs. We build a workplace and a workforce for the future, knowing that our decisions and investments of today will launch the industries of tomorrow. We engage a diverse and inclusive community of dreamers and achievers in a shared mission to access space to improve life on Earth. At Virgin Orbit, we boost imagination. Search all of our job openings on our career portal.

Commodities Specialist

Position Summary

We are seeking a Commodities Specialist (6 month contract) to play a significant role in purchasing the equipment, material, supplies, and services necessary for our LauncherOne program.  As such, a background in aerospace is quite advantageous. This role is responsible for reviewing and coordinating documents as well as purchase requests, including requests for quotes, bids, proposals, one-time orders, and multi-term orders in accordance with Virgin Orbit's policies. This role is for a hands-on person with great attention to detail and excellent people skills. This is a full-time position at Virgin Orbit's aerospace facility in Long Beach, California.

Your Mission

• Work closely with Production, Planning, and the Engineering team, to determine and source current and future requirements
• Negotiate and purchase based on best price and/or best value to reach company objectives
• Maintain records in accordance with established policies, procedures and audit guidelines
• Create statement of work, RFI/RFQ/RFP and assess procurement bids in accordance with established criteria
• Responsible for supplier performance such as quality and delivery
• Promote efficiencies by following best practices for procurement
• Manage customer satisfaction and maintain supplier relationship
• Help Virgin Orbit do our part to make the world a better place
• Constantly learn new things—and share them with your team members

What you bring

If you want to join us, you’d better have all of these…

• 2- 4 years of purchasing or supply chain experience
• Bachelor's degree from accredited university or comparable purchasing experience
• Possess an established track record of procuring multiple commodities within an aerospace or manufacturing environment
• Ability to evaluate procurement bids in accordance with established criteria
• Ability to assess contract compliance and product/service quality
• Knowledge of internal and external auditing
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
• Driven, highly motivated, and committed to improvement
• Ability to add something unique and positive to our team
• Generally high level of all-around awesomeness

… and you should probably have a bunch of these, too...

• Experience and strong computer skills using MS Office Suite and various MRP/ERP systems
• Ability to perform complex tasks, as well as analyze and solve problems
• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, start-up environment
• Good negotiation, conflict resolution and/or mediation skills
• Passion for space exploration and a firm belief in the utility of affordable access to space
• Ability to thrive as a ‘one person team’        

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Personal Requirements

Our idea of a happy life: build rockets, work with brilliant people, serve purposeful customers, and open access to space. Sir Richard Branson’s belief is “If you get the perfect mix of people working for your company, you have a far greater chance of success.” From the very start, we have placed top priority on growing and fostering a team of creative, diverse, and talented women and men. In the words of Sir Richard Branson “We believe it’s better to have a hole in your team than an asshole in your team!”

Search all of our job openings— www.VirginOrbit.com

Virgin Orbit is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Orbit is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.