Sourcing Specialist-Indirect

Description

The Sourcing Specialist will support in the development and implementation of commodity / supply chain activities that significantly contribute to year over year sales growth and operational improvement through a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) sourcing process. The Sourcing Specialist will lead Indirect procurement activities with an emphasis on Capital Expenditure, MRO, and Logistics. Primary responsibilities include preparing, reviewing, analyzing, and executing sourcing activities and projects which solve problems and improve supply chain metrics. The ideal candidate will help strengthen procurement procedures, drive policy development, and build alignment across Finance, Operations, and Manufacturing Engineering.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead sourcing activities for Capital Expenditure, MRO, and Logistics categories, including strategic sourcing management, negotiation, and contracting.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on capital projects, maintenance planning, and operational needs.
• Improve procurement processes, policies, and standard work.
• Lead supplier selection, performance management, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Enhance spend visibility and support financial alignment with budgeting/approvals.
• Part of the global sourcing team supporting the sourcing cluster of procurement categories at a global and regional level.
• Support new supplier development and cost reduction projects across the categories assigned at a global and regional level.
• Serve as an extension of the core team that implements best practice standardization of sourcing processes, procurement market strategies, supplier strategies and risk mitigation.
• Maintain subject matter understanding specific to assigned categories: procurement market, commodity markets, cost drivers, and risk mitigation.
• Support Sourcing Managers to source products and services, assist supplier audits, negotiate tooling and pricing, write contracts, perform value analysis to ensure supplier contract and timeline compliance.
• Assist in improving supplier performance metrics and scorecards.
• Working within the category cluster/team, this role is responsible for executing projects, analysis, and necessary tasks to deliver the team’s sourcing strategy to key stakeholders including engineering, sales, operations, quality, etc.
• Lead assigned analysis, projects, and execute actions in order to make improvements in total cost including terms, freight, unit cost, quality improvement and inventory reduction.
• Analyze and report on global commodity indexes and macro-environment trends to ensure uninterrupted flow of product at current or better cost.
• Visit suppliers for continuous improvement and project execution.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business field
• CPIM and/or equivalent professional certification will be an advantage
• Travel Requirements – 10% domestic
  
  

Experience

• Prefer Five (5) years, or equivalent education and experience, in supporting the sourcing of raw materials, manufactured components, mechanical equipment or components, services and purchased complete items with demonstrated work in CapEx, MRO, or Logistics.
• Understanding of procurement category management with strong understanding of cost reduction, procurement market and supplier strategy, risk mitigation and contracts setting.
• Basic understanding of commodity markets in a global supply chain environment.
• Desired prior experience of working within a global team and global category management setting.
• Strong project management experience: able to independently drive new supplier sourcing and cost reduction initiatives and meet key sourcing objectives in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of basic manufacturing processes, freight & logistics, professional services, facility services, leases, MRO, run-the-plant suppliers, CapEx, utilities, HR, IT, and other indirect categories.
• Demonstrated experience reading engineering drawings and specifications will be an advantage.
• Basic experience in global and comprehensive supplier relationship management and advanced negotiation techniques.
• Data analysis, problem solving and reporting skill sets.
• Experience working in global supply environment and with international suppliers or colleagues.
• Demonstrated teamwork skills, self-motivated and strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems, ISO and 6-sigma disciplines, training and experience will be an advantage.