Strategic Sourcing Manager

Strategic Sourcing Manager – Direct Materials
(Individual Contributor)

Why this role is exciting
This is a high-impact sourcing role for someone who wants real ownership, visibility with leadership, and the chance to shape how a complex manufacturing supply base performs. You’ll manage critical direct material categories in a fast-paced, high-mix, high-volume environment—and see your decisions directly influence cost, quality, and supply continuity.

If you’re a hands-on sourcing professional who thrives on negotiation, data, and problem-solving—and you’re hungry for growth—this role gives you a strong runway into larger category or leadership roles.

What you’ll own and drive

• End-to-end ownership of key direct material categories such as steel, forgings, castings, machined components, and braking/suspension parts across multiple manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada.
• Spend and supplier performance analysis across a complex portfolio to uncover cost savings, risk reduction, and consolidation opportunities.
• Multi-year sourcing strategies that reduce cost, improve quality, and protect supply while supporting aggressive growth and customer commitments.
• RFx leadership and negotiations — build total cost models, lead competitive sourcing events, and negotiate contracts and long-term agreements that lock in value.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to onboard new suppliers, support PPAP/NPI efforts, and resolve chronic supply or quality challenges.
• Market and risk monitoring — stay ahead of commodity volatility, capacity constraints, logistics challenges, and geopolitical risk.
• KPI ownership and reporting, including PPV, on-time delivery, quality metrics, inventory and lead-time improvements, contract coverage, and supplier consolidation.
• Process and capability improvement — help standardize sourcing best practices, improve data quality, and elevate purchasing tools across plants.
• Act as a trusted sourcing expert for your categories while remaining a true hands-on doer (no direct reports initially).

What you bring

Experience & background

• 5–10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain with a strong focus on direct materials in a manufacturing environment.
• Background in automotive, trailer, heavy equipment, metal fabrication, or similar industries strongly preferred.
• Proven success managing high-mix, high-volume categories across multiple plants or business units.
• Demonstrated results delivering cost savings, supplier consolidation, lead-time reduction, quality improvement, and risk mitigation.
• Deep experience running RFQs/RFPs, building total cost of ownership models, and negotiating commercial terms and long-term agreements.
• Comfortable partnering cross-functionally and constructively challenging assumptions.

Skills & mindset

• Bulldog mentality — persistent, resourceful, and not afraid to dig into details to get results.
• Highly analytical and data-driven, with strong Excel and cost-analysis skills.
• Thrives in a fast-moving, growth-oriented environment with changing priorities.
• Strong communicator and influencer with both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Career-driven — motivated to grow into broader category leadership or people leadership roles over time.

Education & tools

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and standard procurement tools.
• Exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.

Pay: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $110,000 - $140,000