AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Procurement Specialist to prepare purchase orders, negotiate prices, and manage supplier relationships to ensure the procurement process runs smoothly. This role prepares requests for proposals (RFPs) and bid packages for new business categories, monitors contract performance and compliance, and tracks purchase orders end-to-end to identify and mitigate supplier risk. This person also partners closely with Sourcing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics, and Materials teams to support buying planning, inventory movement, and continuous process improvement across the Supply Chain Management department.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare purchase orders, approve payments, and negotiate prices to ensure the procurement process goes smoothly, under general guidance.
- Prepare requests for proposals (RFP) and bid packages to take on new business categories.
- Monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
- Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and resolve problems such as shortages and missed or late deliveries.
- Build commercial relationships with local and international suppliers.
- Closely monitor PO status and shipping dates of open purchase orders and maintain delivery dates updated in NetSuite (open PO status).
- Perform end-to-end PO tracking; identify and lead action plans to mitigate any potential risk associated with suppliers (e.g., potential supplier production delay, QC issue, logistics issues, etc.).
- Generate and analyze reports related to Purchasing and other Supply Chain areas.
- Support the buying planning process, identifying supplier production lead time, communicating potential demand, expected delivery dates and quantities, and requesting improvement in production lead times.
- Identify potential supplier production issues, develop risk mitigation plans, and communicate and escalate as necessary.
- Partner with the Sourcing Manager to support sourcing activities such as cost analysis and new vendor setup.
- Participate in Manufacturing and Engineering meetings.
- Coordinate with Logistics and Material teams on inventory movement/transactions and/or shipping from suppliers to company locations or third parties.
- Develop and implement process improvement initiatives in the SCM department.
- Define and analyze KPIs.
Qualifications
Education:
High School Diploma or GED required.
Experience:
- 3-4+ years of relevant experience working within Supply Chain, Procurement, or Purchasing, including hands-on Purchasing and Procurement experience.
- Prior experience using NetSuite or similar ERP systems.
- Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, search functions, VLOOKUP, sorting, and filtering.
Preferred Qualifications:
Soft Skills:
- Pro-teamwork approach, with good communication, honesty, empathy, and collaboration skills.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Advanced English skills, both written and oral.
Technology Stack:
- NetSuite or similar ERP systems.
- Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, search functions, sorting, and filtering.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to work in an office environment, with occasional visits to warehouse or logistics areas to support inventory and shipping coordination.
- Ability to travel occasionally to support supplier visits or cross-team coordination as needed.
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment 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.