Sourcing Manager

Sourcing ManagerLow Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth.Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.About this RoleAs a Sourcing Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring the seamless procurement of high-quality, precision-machined components for our cutting-edge space systems. In this fast-paced, dynamic environment, you'll work closely with engineering, production, and quality teams to source, evaluate, and manage suppliers of machined parts used in spacecraft assembly, propulsion systems, and other space hardware.You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process—from identifying potential suppliers and negotiating contracts to monitoring delivery timelines and ensuring parts meet rigorous quality standards. As Varda continues to innovate and expand, your ability to source parts that adhere to strict performance and reliability criteria will directly contribute to the success of our mission to bring space-based manufacturing into the next era.This is a full-time, exempt position located in our El Segundo headquarters.ResponsibilitiesOwn purchasing for machined components and similar commodities from quote stage to deliverySend RFQs, place POs, run open order report meetings with key suppliers.Develop understanding of supplier capacity, lead times, and cost trendsWork closely with supply chain engineering to develop a preferred supplier network to minimize cost and lead timeWork closely with design engineering teams to understand upcoming design releases and part changesBuild strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate pricing and lead times to meet mission milestonesIdentify part supply constraints that may impact production schedule and create mitigation plansMaintain part and planning master data to accurately reflect lead-times and stock levelsSupport purchasing of various commodities and inventory operations as neededBasic QualificationsBachelor's degree in the field of Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or FinanceMinimum 4 years of relevant experience, ideally within space, aerospace, precision medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech/life sciences or similarWillingness and ability to travel up to 50% of the timeStrategic sourcing of machined components or propulsion componentsExperience translating engineering designs into demand and supply plansExtensive experience using MES/ERP softwareHighly adept relationship building and influencing skills, and the ability to interact and work effectively with many levels of personnel and suppliersDetail-oriented and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environmentPreferred Skills and ExperienceTechnical knowledge and skills in coding and computer applications, (e.g. MS Office Suite, VBA, Smartsheet, SQL, Confluence, JIRA, Power BI, ION etc.)Proactive, quick learner, and ability to prioritize efforts to meet customer and company goalsAbility to develop and maintain strong internal and external supplier relationships in a fast-moving and ever-changing environmentExceptional analytical and organizational skillsExcellent customer service skills, highly self-motivatedEffective written, verbal and presentation communication skillsPrevious work as a machinist (nice to have), plus understanding of manufacturing and the material flow processPay RangeSalary range: $125,306 - $169,533/per yearThis role is on-site in El Segundo, CALeveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performanceYou will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awardsBenefitsConsider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work.

Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.Regular Full-Time Positions:Health & WellnessFlexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA optionsVoluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven ClinicSponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependentsFinancial & RetirementSubstantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)$20/pay period cell phone reimbursementRelocation support for new hires, if neededWorkplace Experience & PerksFully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weeklyCompany and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrationsComplimentary EV chargingIntern Positions:Health & WellnessPaid observed holidays100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expensesSponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependentsFinancial$20/pay period cell phone reimbursementUp to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligibleUp to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligibleWorkplace Experience & PerksFully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weeklyCompany and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrationsComplimentary EV chargingITAR RequirementsVarda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license."US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected