Manager Subcontracts

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Manager Subcontracts 2 based in the United States.

This is a leadership opportunity within a complex, high-impact defense and aerospace environment.

You will lead a team of subcontract professionals supporting major programs and strategic supplier relationships.

The role oversees the full subcontract lifecycle, from sourcing strategy and proposal evaluation through negotiation, award, and administration.

You will partner closely with engineering, contracts, quality, operations, planning, program teams, and other stakeholders.

Your expertise will help optimize cost, supplier performance, delivery, compliance, and operational risk.

The position combines people leadership, strategic procurement, negotiation, and hands‑on subcontract management.

It is well suited to an experienced leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment with diverse assignments and high expectations.

• Lead and develop a team of 5 or more subcontract specialists, providing direction, coaching, resources, and support to enable consistent, high-quality performance.

• Oversee the complete subcontract lifecycle, including make‑or‑buy decisions, market research, sourcing strategies, requests for proposals, proposal evaluation, source selection, negotiations, awards, and ongoing administration.

• Establish and execute subcontract strategies that balance cost, schedule, technical requirements, supplier capability, performance, and risk.

• Coordinate with contracts, engineering, quality, supplier development, planning, operations, program teams, and end users to align subcontract activities with program objectives.

• Manage bid packages, bidder conferences, proposal analysis, negotiation strategies, subcontract provisions, supplier selection, and award documentation.

• Monitor supplier quality, reliability, delivery performance, and overall execution in partnership with quality and operational stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, strengthen supplier performance, and mitigate commercial and operational risks through targeted negotiations and strategic sourcing.

• Ensure subcontract activities comply with applicable public laws, regulatory requirements, internal policies, procedures, and import/export regulations.

• Manage strategic and key supplier relationships, assess supplier performance, and drive corrective actions or improvements when required.

• Use supplier scorecards, performance metrics, ERP information, and other business data to monitor portfolio health and support informed decision‑making.

• Lead change initiatives and promote continuous improvement across subcontracting processes, practices, and team operations.

• Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience in subcontracts management, procurement, program management, contracts management, or a related field; alternatively, a master's degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.

• At least 4 years of direct subcontract management experience.

• At least 3 years of direct people-management or supervisory experience leading 4 or more individual contributors.

• Demonstrated experience working with FAR and DFARS requirements.

• Experience using SAP or another enterprise resource planning/procurement system, along with strong Microsoft Office skills.

• U.S. citizenship is required due to the security clearance requirements associated with the position.

• Strong understanding of subcontracting, supplier management, procurement strategy, contract administration, and commercial risk.

• Excellent negotiation, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder‑management skills, including the ability to work…