Sourcing Executive

Position Summary
:

The Sourcing Executive/Sourcing Director will lead the strategy, identification, qualification, and development of new manufacturing partners for industrial fasteners outside of countries China and Taiwan. This role will be responsible for building a diversified, cost-competitive, and resilient supply base capable of meeting US customer requirements. The ideal candidate possesses deep experience with metal components, engineered fasteners, and/or mechanical assemblies, coupled with strong international sourcing, negotiation, and supplier development capabilities.

This position plays a critical role in reducing supply chain risk, optimizing cost structures, ensuring adherence to industry certifications (ISO/TS/AS standards), and securing long-term capacity in key regions/countries worldwide.

Responsibilities
:

-Global Supplier Identification & Market Intelligence

• Conduct comprehensive market mapping to identify potential manufacturing plants and suppliers capable of producing industrial fasteners (cold-formed, hot-forged, machined, specialty fasteners, etc.).
• Focus exclusively on regions outside of China and Taiwan, with priority markets including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey, and Eastern Europe.
• Investigate new geographic sourcing opportunities, emerging manufacturing hubs, and government-supported industrial zones.
• Develop and maintain competitive intelligence on raw materials, labor costs, logistics corridors, and geopolitical factors influencing sourcing decisions.

-Supplier Qualification & Technical Assessment

• Lead technical audits and capability assessments, evaluating equipment (heading machines, thread rolling, heat treatment, plating), process controls, capacity, and quality systems.
• Partner with engineering, quality, and operations teams to ensure suppliers meet mechanical property requirements, tolerance specifications, material grades, and corrosion-resistance standards.
• Oversee PPAP, first article inspections, sample approval, and production pilot runs.
• Ensure suppliers comply with global standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ASTM/ISO/DIN fastener specifications, and customer-specific requirements.

-Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Negotiation

• Build and execute sourcing strategies to diversify supply and mitigate risk.
• Conduct should-cost analyses, cost-breakdowns, and benchmarking to ensure competitive pricing.
• Negotiate long-term supply agreements, volume discounts, lead-time commitments, and capacity reservations.
• Evaluate total landed cost (TLC), including manufacturing cost, logistics, tariffs/duties, sustainability factors, and currency exposure.

-Supplier Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers and potential partners.
• Develop supplier improvement plans focused on quality, delivery, cost reductions, and technology upgrades.
• Monitor supplier performance using KPIs (OTD, PPM, scrap rate, responsiveness, corrective action effectiveness).
• Lead quarterly business reviews and track continuous improvement initiatives.

-Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Product Management, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales teams to align sourcing decisions with business needs and new product development pipelines.
• Provide early supplier involvement (ESI) for new fastener designs and customer-specific projects.
• Support logistics and distribution planning to ensure reliable global delivery models.

-Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks related to political instability, trade regulations, ethical sourcing, ESG, and environmental compliance.
• Ensure all sourcing activities comply with company policies, international trade laws, anti-bribery/anticorruption regulations, and sustainability standards.
• Maintain dual-sourcing and contingency plans for critical fastener categories.

-Program Management & Implementation

• Manage sourcing projects from initial research through mass production and ongoing management.
• Track milestones, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Lead cross-functional teams in launching new suppliers, including tool transfer (if applicable), prototype phases, and ramp-up to full production.

Requirements
:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 10–15 years of sourcing or supplier development experience, preferably in fasteners, metal components, machined parts, or automotive/industrial hardware.
• Proven track record of establishing suppliers outside China/Taiwan.
• Strong understanding of fastener manufacturing processes: cold heading, forging, machining, thread rolling, heat-treating, coating/plating, and packaging.
• Experience with PPAP, APQP, FAI, and quality management systems.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to travel internationally (30–50% depending on role level).

Preferred

• Experience building supply bases
• Knowledge of customs, trade compliance, and global logistics optimization.
• Language skills relevant to target sourcing regions.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and long-term sourcing vision
• Strong technical aptitude and understanding of manufacturing processes
• Supplier development and quality-focused mindset
• Data-driven decision making and cost analysis
• Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural collaboration skills
• Project management and execution excellence
• Resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving

Success Metrics

• Number and quality of suppliers successfully onboarded
• Reduction of supply chain risk and concentration
• Achieved cost savings and cost stabilization vs. global benchmarks
• Improved supplier delivery and quality performance
• Successful launch of new fastener programs and continuous supply
• Supplier adherence to ESG, regulatory, and quality standards