Strategic Sourcing Manager - Printed Wiring Boards

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We're looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the sourcing, supplier management, cost optimization, and supply continuity strategies for Printed Wiring Boards (PWBs), Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and related interconnect technologies. This role will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Supply Chain and Operations to ensure a resilient, cost-competitive, and scalable supply base that supports both commercial and government programs.

The ideal candidate possesses deep commodity expertise in electronics manufacturing, supplier negotiations, cost modeling, and global supply chain management.

This is a sitebased role, employees work 3+ days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard fiveday workweek.

• Develop and implement multi-year sourcing strategies for:
  • Bare PWBs
  • HDI, RF, rigid-flex, and high-speed PWBs
  • Cable assemblies
  • Wire harnesses
  • Electromechanical interconnects
  • Connectors and associated components
• Analyze market conditions, technology trends, capacity constraints, and geopolitical risks impacting the supply base.
• Create sourcing roadmaps aligned to business growth, technology transitions, and product lifecycle requirements.

• Identify, qualify, and manage strategic suppliers globally.
• Lead supplier selection activities, RFQs, supplier scorecards, and business reviews.
• Establish executive-level supplier relationships to drive performance and strategic alignment.
• Develop dual-source and risk mitigation strategies for critical technologies.

• Lead negotiations for pricing, contracts, capacity commitments, and service agreements.
• Build should-cost models for PWBs and cable assemblies.
• Drive annual cost reduction initiatives through:
  • Design-to-cost
  • Value engineering
  • Supply base optimization
  • Competitive sourcing
  • Productivity sharing programs
• Deliver measurable cost savings and working capital improvements.

• Partner with Engineering on DFM/DFX initiatives and supplier technology selection.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and design transitions.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Planning to resolve supply constraints and improve lead times.
• Work with Quality to address supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Monitor supplier financial health, capacity, geopolitical exposure, and material availability.
• Develop continuity-of-supply plans for critical programs.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • FAR/DFARS requirements
  • ITAR and export regulations
  • Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) standards
  • Conflict Minerals requirements
  • CMMC and cybersecurity expectations where applicable

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• 10+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience.
• 5+ years managing electronic manufacturing commodities.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Bare PWBs
  • PCB fabrication technologies
  • Cable assemblies and wire harnesses
  • EMS and contract manufacturing environments
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience with ERP and sourcing systems such as SAP, Oracle, and Ariba.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• U.S. Citizenship is required

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, satellite, telecommunications, or high-reliability electronics industries.
• Knowledge of IPC standards including IPC-6012, IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620.
• Understanding of RF, high-frequency, and space-grade electronics.
• CPSM, CPSD, CPM, or equivalent professional certification.
• MBA or advanced degree.

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