MEC - Byron Center MI 

Strategic Sourcing Specialist

This hybrid position will be based out of Byron Center, MI, Hazel Park, MI, Milwaukee, WI, Mayville, WI, or Fond du Lac, WI. As a team member at MEC, you will lead and drive procurement process through the organization. You will need to ensure products meet quality, delivery, and specification requirements at the lowest possible total landed cost. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will develop and implement long term sourcing strategies, to obtain optimal value for the enterprise, all while building strong supplier relationships.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as deemed necessary.

• Commodity Strategy Development and Execution: Develop and implement sound commodity sourcing strategies that will bring optimal value to the enterprise. Bring your deep commodity knowledge and market intel on board to ensure best-in-class cost management of MEC’s critical raw materials and components.

• Negotiation: Apply firm but fair negotiation practices utilizing an organized data-driven approach for optimal results that drive lowest total landed cost, on-time delivery, all while meeting or exceeding MEC quality standards.

• Total Cost Management: Attain cost reduction goals through detailed cost/spend analysis, cost model development and implementation, supplier lean events, or through the use of various other cost management tools.

• Materials Planning & Management: Understand forecasting, demand planning, scheduling and inventory management tools and concepts necessary to analyze optimal placement and velocity of materials required in the manufacturing and distribution process.

• Optimize Commodity Execution: Reduce complexity and redundancy by identifying like materials as candidates for potential SKU count reduction, identify and execute supply base optimization opportunities, and develop and implement a robust process to ensure continuity with the internal sales team.

  LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Change and Adaptability: Challenges the status quo and champions new and innovative ideas. Adapts to changing circumstances. Gains awareness for, and an understanding of, the position of stakeholders regarding change.

• Drive for Results: Raises performance standards and strives for superior performance. Sets aggressive goals, measures performance and drives improvement. Assumes personal accountability for meeting deadlines despite challenges.

• Initiative: Engages in the workplace by taking on responsibility above and beyond stated job. Anticipates and acts upon future changes and needs. Seeks information on trends and issues that impact the job and enhances own understanding of the business.

• Interpersonal Skills: Expresses ideas and exchanges information clearly and persuasively. Demonstrates strong professional presence. Delivers information effectively using appropriate media. Communicates openly and honestly to all levels of the organization. Shares relevant information with others.

• Networking: Cultivates networks and has direct access to people internally and externally who are sources of knowledge necessary for getting the job done. Uses local and corporate resources effectively and efficiently. Listens and seeks to understand others’ points of view.

• Problem Solving: Identifies and surfaces issues in a constructive manner and recommends solutions. Uses creative and innovative approaches to find solutions. Evaluates alternatives, calculates risks, and makes well-informed decisions.

Position Title: Strategic Sourcing Specialist Reports To: Director of Purchasing FLSA Status: Exempt Date of Revision: April 2024

SUMMARY

• Self-Management: Regulates own work commitments, time, performance level, and career within the workplace, including self-development. Is effective at planning and organizing; tracking and follow-up; and managing multiple priorities.

• Teamwork: Assumes joint responsibility for work activities. Works collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues to accomplish shared goals. Shares information and feedback openly to build/strengthen relationships with peers.

  COMPETENCIES

  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  Company Culture/Core Values

  Embraces and fosters key elements of MEC’s culture. Understands, demonstrates and seeks to promote MEC Pride. Is viewed a role model of the culture.

  Professionalism

  Displays ethical behavior in all situations and at all times, and acts with a high level of integrity. Maintains poise and confidence even when faced with difficult decisions. Displays an upbeat, positive and energetic attitude. Uses language that is appropriate for the workplace.

  Safety/Security

  Acts as a role model – follows all safety rules, behaves in a safe manner, and wears required PPE. Proactively identifies and corrects unsafe conditions. Promotes safety within department and holds employees accountable for working safely.

  Dependability

  Meets the requirements for both attendance and punctuality. Can be counted on to find a way to get the job done. Responds promptly and follows through on promises in a timely manner. Displays accountability and expects accountability from others.

  Customer Focus

  Builds and maintains close, collaborative relationships with internal or external customers to identify and clarify their needs and expectations. Monitors the business environment to address changing customer needs. Mobilizes the team to provide exceptional, value-added products, services or solutions to customers.

  Making Sound Decisions

  Systematically gathers key information and cuts through complexities to identify the underlying cause of problems. Understands perceived relationships between problems. Considers a broad range of factors when making decisions. Solicits the knowledge and viewpoints of others who can add value when solving problems. Uses quantitative information to support decisions. Makes sound, timely, pragmatic recommendations.

  Promoting Effective Communication

  Listens openly and non-judgmentally to others, seeking to understand their point of view. Holds the attention of others when speaking. Prepares clear, persuasive written communications. Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high-quality information flows smoothly between self and others. Encourages the open expression of ideas and opinions and leverages the diverse viewpoints of others.

  Managing Organizational Relationships

  Cultivates relationships with people in a broad range of functions and levels across the organization. Understands the perspectives and priorities of others. Is sensitive to and effectively manages the impact of own decisions and actions on other functional areas. Builds strong external networks. Uses informal networks to achieve results. Addresses conflict openly and seeks solutions that are in the Company’s best interest. Is respectful, ethical and honest in all business activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree in a business-related field, supply chain management, or equivalent.

• Minimum of 4 years of working experience in purchasing and/or supply chain.

• The ability to take independent actions based on sound decision making and problem-solving skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organization.

• Excellent project management capabilities, able to lead cross-functional teams to produce high-level work product within tight timeframes.

• Proficient to expert level in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and data analytics.

• Ability and willing to travel up to 20% of the time to other MEC locations and supplier sites within the

  Midwest.

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.