What are the responsibilities and job description for the MRO Sourcing Specialist position at Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.?
Salina, KS
Great Plains Manufacturing is seeking a dynamic MRO Sourcing Specialist to join our Purchasing team. The MRO Sourcing Agent is responsible for strategically sourcing indirect materials and services to support manufacturing operations across multiple sites. This role is heavily focused on cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and value creation, while ensuring continuity of supply, quality, and service levels. The position partners closely with multiple teams to drive total cost of ownership improvements.
This is an on-site position that works M-Th from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. from our Corporate Offices in Salina, KS. Occasional out-of-state overnight travel may be required.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Cost Reduction Supplier Management Cross-Site Coordination and Operational Support Contracting & Compliance
Great Plains Manufacturing is seeking a dynamic MRO Sourcing Specialist to join our Purchasing team. The MRO Sourcing Agent is responsible for strategically sourcing indirect materials and services to support manufacturing operations across multiple sites. This role is heavily focused on cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and value creation, while ensuring continuity of supply, quality, and service levels. The position partners closely with multiple teams to drive total cost of ownership improvements.
This is an on-site position that works M-Th from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. from our Corporate Offices in Salina, KS. Occasional out-of-state overnight travel may be required.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
- Identify, develop, and execute cost reduction initiatives across MRO categories (e.g., spare parts, consumables, tooling, services).
- Lead sourcing events including RFQs, RFPs, and reverse auctions.
- Perform spend analysis to identify savings opportunities, cost drivers, and demand patterns.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, rebates, and service agreements to achieve annual cost savings targets.
- Implement total cost of ownership (TCO) strategies, including inventory optimization and lifecycle cost analysis.
- Identify and onboard new suppliers to increase competition and reduce dependency.
- Drive supplier consolidation and standardization across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Manage supplier performance (cost, quality, delivery, service) and lead corrective actions when needed.
- Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to support long-term cost and service improvements.
- Support critical/urgent sourcing needs to prevent production downtime.
- Collaborate with plant stakeholders (operations, maintenance/facilities, procurement, storeroom, IT, engineering, etc.) to align sourcing strategies.
- Standardize parts, suppliers, and processes across facilities to leverage volume and reduce complexity.
- Support site-level procurement teams with sourcing expertise and contract implementation.
- Develop and manage contracts, blanket purchase agreements, and service agreements.
- Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and procedures.
- Track and report savings, contract utilization, and sourcing performance metrics.
- Other duties may be assigned that require other qualifications, physical demands, and/or work environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3–7 years of sourcing/procurement experience, preferably in MRO or indirect categories.
- Demonstrated success in cost reduction and supplier negotiations.
- Strong analytical skills (spend analysis, cost modeling).
- Strong negotiation skills with a collaborative approach.
- Exceptional interpersonal and collaborative problem-solving skills across functional groups.
- Professional certification, such as APICS, or working toward obtaining professional certification is desired.