Strategic Sourcing Manager

Strategic Sourcing Manager

Radiant is seeking a proactive and technically-minded Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the discovery, qualification, and development of new suppliers and manufacturing technologies in support of our micro-reactor program. This role is foundational to expanding Radiant's supply base into new commodities, processes, and capabilities as our designs mature. Unlike a traditional buyer role, this position is heavily front-end weighted — finding the right suppliers before a part exists in production, matching engineering intent to real-world manufacturing capability, and shepherding new suppliers and parts from concept through qualification and into reliable, on-time delivery.

You will work closely with Engineering, Supplier Development Engineers (SDEs), Quality Assurance, and Operations to build Radiant's supplier ecosystem from the ground up.

• Supplier Discovery:
  Proactively identify and research new potential suppliers and manufacturing technologies across domestic and (where permissible) international markets, including specialized, niche, or emerging process capabilities relevant to nuclear-grade hardware.

• Design-to-Supplier Matching:
  Partner with Engineering to interpret drawings, specifications, and material requirements, and translate them into supplier search criteria — matching part complexity, tolerances, materials, and process needs to real supplier capability.

• Supplier Vetting &
  
  Qualification:
  
  Lead initial supplier vetting, including capability assessments, facility questionnaires, and preliminary risk screening, in coordination with SDEs and Quality on technical and quality qualification.

• Onboarding:
  Own the end-to-end onboarding process for new suppliers — from first contact through NDA, capability review, and entry into Radiant's approved supplier base.

• R&D & New Technology Sourcing:
  Research and evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and processes (e.g., additive manufacturing, novel joining/forming methods) that could unlock new sourcing pathways or de-risk critical components.

• New Part Introduction (NPI) Support:
  Act as the commercial and program-management thread for new parts through their qualification lifecycle — coordinating purchase order issuance, first articles, prototype builds, and pilot runs between the supplier, Engineering, and Quality.

• Supplier PM through Production:
  Once a supplier/part is qualified, manage the transition into steady-state delivery — issuing and managing purchase orders, tracking schedule, resolving early production issues, and ensuring a smooth handoff toward on-time, recurring delivery.

• Cross-functional Collaboration:
  
  Work seamlessly with SDEs on technical/quality qualification, with Engineering on design intent and make/buy decisions, and with Procurement/Planning on transitioning qualified suppliers into the standard sourcing and PO process.

• Market Intelligence:
  Maintain awareness of supply market trends, capacity constraints, and geopolitical risk factors affecting candidate suppliers and technologies, particularly for nuclear-grade and DFARS-relevant materials and processes.

• Process Improvement:
  Help build and refine Radiant's supplier discovery, vetting, and onboarding processes and tools as the sourcing function matures.

• Purchase Order Support:
  Assist with placing purchase orders and monitoring purchase order health (open PO aging, delivery status, discrepancy resolution) as needed to support program timelines.

• Supplier RCCA Support:
  Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities with suppliers as issues arise, coordinating with SDEs and Quality to drive timely resolution and closure.

• A growing pipeline of qualified, capable suppliers matched to Radiant's evolving design needs.

• Successfully onboarded new suppliers meeting technical, quality, and commercial requirements.

• New parts/technologies moved through qualification and into reliable production delivery.

• Supplier capability assessments and vetting documentation supporting sourcing decisions.

• Identified and evaluated new manufacturing technologies with clear recommendations for adoption.

• Strong collaborative relationships…