Site Sourcing Specialist

The Site Sourcing Specialist serves as the primary liaison between the manufacturing site, Supply Chain, and regional sourcing teams to support procurement operations, supplier management, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role is responsible for managing site-specific sourcing activities, coordinating supplier qualifications, resolving procurement and supplier issues, and maintaining sourcing data within the ERP system. The position plays a critical role in ensuring material availability, supplier performance, cost control, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency within a dynamic, low-volume/high-mix manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary site contact between Supply Chain, Sourcing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and regional commodity teams.
• Monitor direct material cost variances and provide information to Finance and Proposal teams.
• Maintain sourcing rules, purchasing parameters, and supplier information within the ERP system.
• Support supplier qualification activities, including coordinating APQP, PPAP, and engineering sample evaluations.
• Participate in supplier resourcing, supplier rationalization, and material transition activities.
• Assist with Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), supplier evaluations, and supplier selection activities.
• Resolve supplier-related issues, invoice discrepancies, engineering change requests, claims, and chargebacks.
• Coordinate site-specific commodity and service sourcing activities.
• Provide engineering drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and other technical documentation to sourcing teams.
• Support documentation, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives related to sourcing processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify cost savings and productivity improvements.
• Prepare reports, analyze sourcing data, and communicate recommendations to leadership.
• Maintain compliance with company purchasing policies, quality standards, and procurement procedures.
• Support ISO/quality management system requirements and internal audits.
• Perform additional sourcing and procurement duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of purchasing or procurement experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing, transportation, industrial, heavy equipment, or related industries.
• Experience supporting supplier management, purchasing, or supply chain operations.
• Experience working within ERP systems.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Experience in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting sourcing initiatives within industrial manufacturing.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10%.
• Valid driver's license, if required for business travel.
• Ability to work on-site in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in production areas.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Familiarity with ISO or similar quality management systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of purchasing, procurement, and supply chain operations.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification, sourcing strategies, and procurement processes.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving supplier performance issues.
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, engineering change management, and supplier onboarding processes.
• Knowledge of procurement regulations including Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), Incoterms, import/export regulations, and international trade practices.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, or Baan.
• Experience using reporting and business intelligence tools such as Crystal Reports or Power BI.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, quality, finance, production, suppliers, and leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to process accuracy.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to cross-functional teams.

Additional Desired Characteristics

• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certification.
• Experience supporting supplier cost reduction initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Experience with supplier performance metrics and scorecards.
• Knowledge of contract administration and commercial purchasing practices.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) or manufacturing launches.
• Strong business acumen and negotiation skills.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility.
• Frequent interaction with production, warehouse, engineering, and quality departments.
• Regular exposure to manufacturing environments requiring PPE.
• Occasional exposure to noise, temperature variations, chemicals, and industrial equipment.
• Travel up to 10% for supplier visits, training, or business meetings.
• Fast-paced environment requiring management of multiple concurrent projects and priorities.

Other Duties

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required. Management reserves the right to assign or modify duties and responsibilities as business needs change.