Strategic Category & Sourcing Manager-Rubber, Plastic, Injection Molding (New Joint Venture)

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic category plans primarily for custom designed plastics, rubber, and injection molded parts aligned with business priorities for cost, quality, growth, supply continuity, and risk mitigation.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including supplier identification, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, negotiations, supplier selection, and implementation.
• Manage supplier relationships and serve as the primary sourcing lead for assigned suppliers and commodity areas.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and supply agreements to improve value, mitigate risk, and support business continuity.
• Conduct spend analysis, market intelligence, cost modeling, and supplier benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities and strengthen category competitiveness.
• Partner with suppliers to improve quality, delivery, capacity, responsiveness, service, and cost performance.
• Assess supplier capabilities related to tooling, molding processes, material expertise, manufacturing capacity, and quality systems.
• Select and develop suppliers for custom molded components, elastomeric materials, and related assemblies.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to support Engineering, Operational, and Quality business objectives.
• Support new product introduction activities through early engagement on supplier selection, collaboration on design for manufacturability, development of a plan for every part (PFEP), and actions to ensure supply chain readiness in support of Project and Production launch timelines.
• Identify and manage supply risks related to tooling, sole or single sourcing, capacity constraints, raw material availability, and supplier performance.
• Lead supplier business reviews, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure suppliers meet applicable regulatory, quality, and corporate requirements.

Skills And Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start).
• Five (5) years of experience in sourcing, category management, procurement, supply chain, operations, engineering, manufacturing, finance, or a related field in a private, public, government, or military environment.
• Experience managing suppliers in a direct materials environment within a highly regulated industry.
• Experience sourcing custom-designed direct materials and supporting complex or engineered components.
• Experience leading sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and contract negotiations.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, supplier readiness, design for manufacturability, and engineering changes.
• Experience with plan for every part (PFEP) and supply chain readiness planning.
• Strong strategic sourcing, supplier management, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Experience conducting spend analysis, market assessments, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of supplier qualification, change management, and quality requirements in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Excel based data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.