Jobs · Purchasing · California

Senior Procurement Specialist

Butcher Power Products · Rancho Cordova, CA · 1 mo ago
On-sitePurchasingFull-time

Job Summary

The Sr. Procurement Specialist is the senior individual contributor on BPP’s procurement team, owning supplier sourcing, negotiation, and supplier performance for assigned commodity categories in a fast-growing, engineer-to-order manufacturing environment. Where the Procurement Specialist executes purchasing within established agreements, this role creates those agreements—evaluating and selecting suppliers, negotiating pricing, lead times, and terms, and driving cost-reduction and supply-continuity initiatives.

Core Responsibilities

  • Sourcing & Negotiation:
    • Source, evaluate, and select suppliers for raw materials, components, and services within assigned commodity categories.
      • Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery commitments to achieve cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
        • Lead RFQ activity for assigned categories, including bid analysis and award recommendations.
  • Supplier Performance & Compliance:
    • Monitor supplier performance and resolve escalated issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing.
      • Support supplier scorecards, corrective action processes, and quarterly business reviews in accordance with BPP’s SOP.
    • Ensure purchased materials and services meet quality, specification, and regulatory requirements.
      • Support supplier audits and continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base.
  • Cost & Inventory Management:
    • Identify and execute cost-saving opportunities through supplier consolidation, alternate sourcing, dual-sourcing, and process improvements.
      • Monitor purchase price variance and material cost trends for assigned categories; recommend corrective actions.
    • Aid with inventory control efforts, including demand forecasting input, lead time accuracy, and inventory optimization.
  • New Product & Cross-Functional Support:
    • Support new product introductions by sourcing materials, qualifying new suppliers, and coordinating supplier readiness.
      • Partner with Engineering and Project Management on new vendor qualification driven by design requirements.
    • Provide sourcing input on cost estimates for new or non-standard materials.
      • Work with the Supply Chain Systems Specialist to keep vendor master data, pricing, and lead times accurate in D365.
  • Mentorship & Escalation:
    • Provide day-to-day work direction, coaching, and procurement best-practice guidance to the Procurement Specialist.
  • Serve as the first escalation point for purchasing issues that exceed routine PO execution.
    • Act as backup for the Procurement Manager on day-to-day procurement decisions when needed.
  • Role Boundaries & Key Interfaces

    • The Sr. Procurement Specialist owns sourcing and negotiation for assigned categories but does not make unilateral decisions on supplier selection where quality approval or engineering sign-off is required.
      • Commodity strategy ownership, long-term agreements, capital expenditure purchases, and commitments beyond established spend thresholds remain with the Procurement Manager.
    • This role provides mentorship and work direction to the Procurement Specialist but does not carry formal supervisory responsibility (performance reviews, hiring, discipline).
      • Daily: Procurement Specialist, Suppliers, Production Planning
    • Weekly: Procurement Manager, Warehouse Managers, Supply Chain Systems Specialist
      • As needed: Engineering, Project Management, Finance/AP, Quality

    Qualifications Required

    • 6+ years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
      • Demonstrated experience sourcing suppliers, leading negotiations, and managing supplier relationships.
    • Experience driving cost-reduction or continuous improvement initiatives with measurable results.
      • Proficiency in ERP-based procurement; experience with D365, SAP, Oracle, or comparable platform.
    • Strong analytical skills; proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working with procurement data.
      • Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

    Preferred

    • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field; equivalent experience accepted.
      • Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Finance & Operations) in a procurement context.
    • Engineer-to-order or custom manufacturing experience.
      • CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP certification (or in progress).
    • Familiarity with ISO quality frameworks and their intersection with supplier management and purchasing controls.

    Core Competencies

    • Negotiation & Influence: Prepares thoroughly, negotiates from data, and secures favorable terms while preserving supplier relationships.
      • Supplier Relationship Management: Builds trust with suppliers while maintaining the leverage needed to hold them to performance commitments.
    • Analytical Rigor: Uses spend, pricing, and performance data to drive sourcing decisions and quantify savings.
      • Ownership & Initiative: Identifies problems and opportunities without waiting for direction; sees initiatives through to closure.
    • Mentorship: Raises the capability of the team through patient coaching and clear standards, not just doing the work personally.

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