Purchasing Professional
Position Summary
The Technical Purchasing Professional is responsible for sourcing and managing a defined supplier and product portfolio, ensuring the availability of cost-effective, high-quality components that support business objectives. This role drives supplier selection, contract negotiations, commodity strategy implementation, and cost optimization initiatives while working closely with Engineering, Operations, Commodity Management, and Central Purchasing.
Key Responsibilities
Source new and existing components for a defined supplier and product portfolio, ensuring quality, cost, delivery, and performance requirements are met.
Evaluate and select suppliers based on competitiveness, technical capabilities, quality standards, capacity, and long-term strategic fit.
Lead contract, pricing, and logistics negotiations with suppliers, focusing on achieving the best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Track and analyze supplier KPIs, driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring sustainable supplier performance.
Develop and implement local commodity strategies in close cooperation with Commodity Management and Central Purchasing.
Provide technical purchasing support during component selection processes and make-or-buy decisions.
Identify, plan, and realize cost-saving opportunities and value engineering initiatives in collaboration with Commodity Management and internal stakeholders.
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Logistics, and Finance to ensure alignment across the supply chain.
Qualifications
Education: Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related technical field from a University of Applied Sciences, Technical University, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience: Several years of professional experience in technical purchasing, strategic sourcing, or supplier management within an industrial or manufacturing environment is considered a strong advantage.
Experience: Strong background in operative work (ordering, manage supplier escalations, missing parts management), experience managing complex supplier negotiations and sourcing projects, and proven track record in cost optimization and supplier development initiatives.
Knowledge and Skills: Strong understanding of operative procurement, technical products, manufacturing processes, and supply chain management principles; experience in strategic sourcing, supplier evaluation, contract management, and purchasing strategy development; knowledge of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) methodologies and cost analysis techniques; SAP MM / PP and/or SAP S/4HANA knowledge is considered an advantage; strong analytical and commercial mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions; excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills; have a good understanding of BaBa (Build America, Buy America Act), experience in standardization (i.e. UL / IEEE).
Personal Attributes: Results-oriented and proactive working style; adept at prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced daily business environment; strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities; high level of assertiveness and negotiation confidence; ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; team-oriented, collaborative, and capable of working in an international environment; hands-on, with the ability to work according to procedures.
Additional Requirements
Willingness to travel as required.
Requirements for Benefits
Will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and disability insurance.
Eligible to enroll in the company’s 401k plan.
Eligible for 120 hours of vacation leave and 40 hours of Personal Paid Absence every year.
Eligible for 12 paid holidays, and 1 floating holiday throughout the calendar year, subject to relevant terms outlined in the employee handbook.
Eligible for 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
Eligible to purchase company stock, subject to the relevant plan documents and annual bonuses based on achievement of certain metrics of up to 4% of annual salary.
Pay Range
The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Springfield, MO is $75,900–$113,900 per year. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, the type of years and experience within the industry and education.