Technical Sourcing Lead

About the role

The Technical Sourcing function manages the third-party supplier (3PS) product and materials portfolio in close alignment with the overall product line strategy defined by the PLD organization. It provides technical expertise within Purchasing and drives cross-functional projects with a strong technical focus involving third-party suppliers. Its scope includes supplier development, innovation scouting, ensuring product launch readiness at 3PS, and defining sourcing guidelines, including the Make-or-Buy decision framework.

Responsibilities

• Drive and ensure global alignment of the 3PS portfolio and related technical topics, interfacing closely with PLDs, Segment teams, and the broader purchasing organization.
• Lead and manage the 3PS product and material portfolio including its development and rationalization, in line with R&D, PLD, and Segments strategy.
• Co-design the Make-or-Buy strategy with the PLDs through benchmarks, technical capability evaluation at 3PS, and ensure the strategy is embedded in sourcing decision making.
• Drive a consistent roll out of 3PS portfolio strategy, in alignment with PLDs and the regional Category Purchasing teams.
• Support in-/outsourcing assessments considering all technical aspects like materials, tooling, and manufacturability.
• Conduct technical benchmarks; lead supplier comparisons and evaluations based on specifications, material properties, and capabilities.
• Identify and develop new sourcing options to close portfolio or capability gaps; lead innovation scouting with PLDs, R&D, and suppliers.
• Shape and complete the “Buy” portfolio in alignment with PLDs and in partnership with the Category Purchasing organization.
• Lead or coordinate projects involving global Purchasing with significant technical content (e.g., PFAS initiatives, material rationalization, new material launch at 3PS, technical benchmark) and ensure cross-functional validation and readiness.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for supplier issues and drive 3PS development programs.
• Act as main interface for PLDs and Segments regarding technical sourcing topics involving 3PS portfolio.
• Interface with R&D and supplier engineering on specifications and manufacturability topics; provide clear technical directions to Category Purchasing.
• Support Sales with technical inquiries involving 3PS; participate in customer and supplier audits as required.
• Drive internal promotion and communication of 3PS portfolio capabilities to ensure cross-functional awareness.
• Support resolution of technical quality issues at 3PS with the quality team, coordinate corrective actions with suppliers, and ensure lessons learned.
• Maintain a regular cadence of portfolio & capability assessments to identify improvement opportunities and validate outcomes of supplier development efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s/master’s degree in engineering, Materials Science, or Business with strong technical exposure.
• Demonstrated experience in technical sourcing, supplier development, and leading cross-functional projects in an industrial/manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in portfolio analytics, benchmarking, and Make-or-Buy frameworks; ability to translate technical requirements into sourcing decisions, including the capability to shape and evolve portfolio strategy based on technical, commercial, and market insights.
• Experience in leading teams or cross-regional stakeholders; ability to guide and develop talent.
• Excellent stakeholder-management capabilities; able to interact with PLDs, R&D, Sales, and suppliers.
• Familiarity with Purchasing processes.

Location: Fort Wayne, IN, USA