What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Sourcing Specialist — Supply Chain position at Estes Design and Manufacturing?
Location: Indianapolis, IN 46229
A day in this role
Morning starts with a review of open purchase orders and supplier confirmations. You check inventory signals, flag any risks of shortage, and coordinate with operations to fine-tune demand forecasts. Midday, you negotiate terms with vendors, aligning pricing and delivery schedules to production plans. In the afternoon, you analyze market movements to refine sourcing strategies, document decisions in the procurement system, and collaborate with engineering and finance to support upcoming product or project needs. You finish by capturing learning, updating supplier scorecards, and proposing process tweaks that make the supply chain run smoother tomorrow than it did today.
What you’ll deliver
A day in this role
Morning starts with a review of open purchase orders and supplier confirmations. You check inventory signals, flag any risks of shortage, and coordinate with operations to fine-tune demand forecasts. Midday, you negotiate terms with vendors, aligning pricing and delivery schedules to production plans. In the afternoon, you analyze market movements to refine sourcing strategies, document decisions in the procurement system, and collaborate with engineering and finance to support upcoming product or project needs. You finish by capturing learning, updating supplier scorecards, and proposing process tweaks that make the supply chain run smoother tomorrow than it did today.
What you’ll deliver
- Reliable material flow by cultivating strong supplier relationships and driving on-time delivery.
- Data-backed purchasing decisions through market and supplier performance analysis.
- Cost optimization via effective contract and price negotiations.
- Proactive supply assurance through inventory monitoring and short- and long-range forecasting.
- Alignment across teams by partnering with operations, finance, engineering, and planning.
- Clear, accurate records of POs, pricing, terms, inventory status, and supplier metrics.
- Continuous improvement ideas that streamline procurement and reduce total cost of ownership.
- Input and support for procurement policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- 2 years in purchasing or supply chain functions with hands-on buying responsibility.
- Strong negotiation acumen and supplier relationship management skills.
- Analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using supply chain/procurement software.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfort working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000