Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Travel: Approximately 20-30% travel required (onsite visits every 40 days to suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and internal stakeholders)

About the role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated Strategic Sourcing Specialist to support sourcing initiatives across key manufacturing categories, including metals, electrical components, and manufactured parts/components. This role will develop sourcing strategies, negotiate supplier agreements, drive cost reduction initiatives, manage supplier performance, and ensure continuity of supply across a complex manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience sourcing direct materials within a manufacturing setting, possess exceptional negotiation skills, and have hands-on experience utilizing ERP systems such as Oracle and/or SAP.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for metals, electrical components, and other manufacturing-related categories.
• Lead supplier identification, qualification, selection, and ongoing relationship management.
• Conduct RFQs, RFPs, bid analysis, and contract negotiations to secure optimal pricing, quality, and service levels.
• Drive year-over-year cost savings initiatives while maintaining quality and delivery performance.
• Partner closely with Operations, Production Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to align sourcing activities with business objectives.
• Analyze spend data, supplier performance metrics, market trends, and supply risks to proactively identify opportunities and mitigate disruptions.
• Negotiate long-term agreements, pricing structures, and commercial terms with suppliers.
• Support supplier development initiatives and performance improvement programs.
• Monitor supplier KPIs, including quality, on-time delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
• Ensure sourcing practices comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical procurement standards.
• Utilize ERP systems to manage supplier data, purchase transactions, reporting, and sourcing analytics.
• Travel to supplier locations and company sites approximately every 40 days to support relationship management, audits, and sourcing projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing direct materials, including:
  • Metals
  • Electrical components
  • Manufacturing components and assemblies
• Strong supplier negotiation and contract management experience.
• Experience conducting supplier evaluations, spend analysis, and sourcing events.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately every 40 days.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both Oracle ERP and SAP systems.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Knowledge of commodity market analysis, supplier risk management, and cost modeling.
• Experience driving measurable cost savings and process improvement initiatives.