Launch Services Contracts Manager

Overview

Senior role owning the end-to-end launch services category for Spire’s Global Supply Chain. You will shape strategy, lead supplier sourcing and contracting, and manage performance for a strategically critical, high-impact area affecting constellation deployment and revenue. You will act as the commercial authority, building frameworks and relationships in a fast-moving global market. This is a senior, autonomous position with significant spend responsibility and cross-functional collaboration.

Pay / Benefits

• Name Your Satellite Program (NYSP)
• Launch Attendance
• Generous Time Off Policy
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
• Family Leave

Responsibilities

• Develop global launch services sourcing strategy aligned to constellation deployment and growth
• Benchmark market, analyze price/capacity/reliability across dedicated and rideshare options
• Create cost models and TCO analyses for launch, integration, insurance and logistics
• Lead vendor sourcing, tendering (RFI/RFP/RQ), and award recommendations
• Oversee supplier onboarding, due diligence and commercial setup
• Design and implement launch contract frameworks and standard terms (including rideshare/aggregator agreements)
• Lead negotiations for pricing, milestones, schedule commitments, liabilities and remedies
• Define KPI and SLA metrics, chair supplier reviews, enforce remedies and drive improvements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Tech PM, Engineering, Legal, Finance, Compliance) to align commercial terms
• Support launch campaign planning and provide senior reporting on spend and risk
• Develop contracting policies, templates and governance ensuring regulatory compliance (ISO9001, AS9100, ITAR/EAR)
• Maintain auditable contract repository and pursue cost reduction and value improvement

Key requirements

• Significant experience in procurement/strategic sourcing or commercial contracts in a complex environment
• Direct experience in launch market or space/satellite procurement
• Strong track record in high-value negotiations and drafting complex agreements
• Experience owning a strategic category end-to-end (strategy, supplier selection, long-term agreements)
• Analytical capability in market analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling and evaluating offers
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management at senior levels
• Ability to translate complex contractual issues into practical business decisions
• Experience working with engineering/programme teams on technically complex products/services
• Knowledge of export controls and trade compliance in space/defence context (preferred)
• Ability to work autonomously in fast-growth environment
• MS Office proficiency; familiarity with ERP/CLM systems (preferred)

• Self-motivated with autonomy
• Results-driven with savings and targets focus
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Market intelligence and benchmarking
• Cost modelling and TCO analysis
• Contract lifecycle management

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