Strategic Sourcing Category Manager - Foundries

General Summary

The Strategic Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and developing potential sources of supply in alignment with the strategic goals of the company. They are responsible for the strategy and management of multiple categories of products and services to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with company needs. In addition, this position is responsible for monitoring market trends, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and creating agreements and contracts to ensure seamless availability of products and services to support company objectives.

Will source and manage the following categories: Foundries, Machining, Full Valve assemblies, and additional categories as required.

This position is currently eligible for DeZURIK's hybrid work schedule.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Manage supplier risk and mitigation across all assigned categories.
• Deliver the best overall value (cost, lead time, quality, terms) for assigned categories.
• Provide global/regional strategies to achieve corporate and plant location objectives.
• Cultivate and develop partner relationships with strategic suppliers to ensure DeZURIK remains a customer of choice.
• Lead and direct cross-functional sourcing projects, including new vendor identification, initial assessment, and qualification.
• Effectively manage supplier selection to meet strategies for supplier capabilities requirements.
• Conduct market research and develop category-specific strategies to improve cost, quality, and delivery.
• Analyze and evaluate quotations to ensure quality, delivery, and total cost are satisfactory.
• Actively negotiate with suppliers to address quality, price, or service discrepancies.
• Provide costing standards for commodity products.
• Establish contracts for products in alignment with corporate and plant location objectives.
• Make recommendations to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency of vendor operations.
• Regularly perform detailed market analysis with respect to global commodities, specific industries, exchange rates, trade compliance issues affecting acquisition, and labor rates.
• Provide forecasts to management of trends, opportunities, and potential risk areas.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business/Materials Management preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role, with a proven record in successfully managing projects and contracts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Record of successful supplier negotiations and management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Global business knowledge and experience.
• Must understand the steps required to turn Engineering drawings into production-ready parts.
• Knowledgeable in cost reduction techniques, just-in-time principles, standard cost, and total cost & quality management.
• APICS or CPM Certification preferred.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands

• Physical demands are typical of an office position including extended periods of sitting, extensive use of a personal computer and telephone.
• Must be able to see and move throughout plant in order to resolve work problems and facilitate processes.
• May have contact with caustic substances in some areas of plant.
• Travel for the company including both domestic and international travel may be required for project/systems support.

Working Conditions

Normal manufacturing and office environment. When working occasionally in some shop areas, personal protection equipment (PPE) will be recommended and/or required (safety shoes, safety glasses w/side shields, hearing protection, face shield, gloves, apron and boots). Must have the ability to support extended business hours to meet customer business needs.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Quality

Quality encompasses all aspects of DeZURIK, Inc.’s business, and every team member shares the responsibility to prevent the occurrence of any nonconformity relating to product, process, and the quality system. All team members have an obligation to identify and record any such nonconformity, and, through designated channels, initiate and recommend solutions.

Salary and Benefits

DeZURIK offers a competitive base salary in the $86,158 to $107,698 range, based on experience and qualifications, along with annual bonus opportunities tied to performance.

Beyond pay, our market-leading benefits are designed to support your wellbeing. These include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. DeZURIK also provides a health savings account with company match, a retirement plan for employer contributions through Vanguard, and access to the Granite Assistance Fund for support when it’s needed most. We value time for rest and personal growth, offering generous paid time off, including volunteer time off and paid holidays.

DeZURIK, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role.