Indirect Commodity Manager

Job description

About Northwood: Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it. About Northwood: Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it. Role: The Indirect Commodity Manager will be responsible for developing and executing global sourcing strategies across a broad portfolio of indirect spend categories that support the company's manufacturing and business operations. As the organization's first dedicated indirect procurement leader, this individual will establish sourcing strategies, supplier partnerships, and procurement processes that drive value across global sites. The role will serve as a trusted business partner to Engineering, Facilities, Operations, Finance, Legal, and other functional leaders to ensure sourcing decisions align with business objectives while optimizing cost, quality, service, and risk. The initial category portfolio includes service purchase orders, indirect materials and supplies, capital equipment, manufacturing and facility equipment, land and property leases, and construction-related contracts supporting both ongoing operations and future expansion. Responsibilities: - Develop and execute global sourcing and category strategies for indirect spend, including services, indirect materials, capital equipment, facilities, construction, and real estate-related agreements. - Lead strategic sourcing initiatives from market assessment and supplier selection through contract negotiation and implementation, ensuring optimal cost, quality, service, and risk outcomes. - Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing, terms and conditions, and long-term supplier contracts while partnering with Legal to ensure appropriate contractual protections. - Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Facilities, Finance, and other business leaders to support capital projects, operational needs, and strategic business initiatives across global sites. - Build and manage strategic supplier relationships through performance management, business reviews, continuous improvement initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies. - Analyze spend, supplier performance, and market intelligence to identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier optimization, process improvements, and total cost of ownership reductions. Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field - 5–8+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or commodity management experience - Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements - Demonstrated success managing indirect procurement categories Preferred Qualifications: - Experience sourcing construction projects, CapEx, facilities services, or real estate agreements - Experience supporting manufacturing or industrial operations - Knowledge of ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) - Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CIPS, or equivalent Additional Information: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood 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, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. Additional Information: If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.