Sourcing Lead

Sourcing Lead

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Operations is required.
• 5+ years of experience in a sourcing role for an industrial manufacturing company preferred.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining strong business relationships with suppliers to achieve organizational goals.
• Expertise in contract development and advanced negotiation techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, material and production control, material specifications, and lean manufacturing/continuous improvement principles.
• Ability to lead cross-functional project teams effectively.
• A resourceful and proactive approach to make decisions and take action to prevent material shortages or losses, staying abreast of market trends, alternative processes, new technologies, and costs.
• Experience with formal problem-solving tools and reporting (e.g., 8D, PDCA, 5 Why’s, A3).
• The ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization and globally, with flexibility to accommodate differing time zones.
• Up to 25% travel internationally to locations including the US, Mexico, India, China, and Europe.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a robust and reliable global supply base to ensure the timely procurement of goods and commodities.
• Implement and handle long-term supplier agreements that deliver best-in-class quality, on-time delivery, favorable terms, and optimal total cost.
• Lead cross-functional teams to achieve year-over-year company financial objectives, providing recommendations for alternate suppliers, designs, and materials to drive cost reductions.
• Generate and meticulously analyze quotations and bids, championing the use of cost breakdown analyses to enhance negotiation strategies.
• Rigorously evaluate existing and potential suppliers based on their technical/manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, cost competitiveness, and responsiveness.
• Monitor global commodity indexes and macro-environment trends to ensure an uninterrupted flow of product at current or improved costs.
• Proactively research and qualify alternate sources of supply, coordinating the selection and qualification process.
• Collaborate closely with New Product Development, Quality, and Engineering to assess and ensure robust supplier capabilities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers utilizing methodologies such as VA/VE, Kaizen and VMI / Stocking Agreements.
• Initiate all necessary correspondence and direct contact to expedite purchased goods, revise purchase orders, effect cancellations, improve terms, resolve rejected goods and rework costs, adjust invoice discrepancies, and rectify other related issues.
• Meet timelines and performance objectives by consistently driving task completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a sourcing role for an industrial manufacturing company preferred.