Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Quick overview of this role

This is not a transactional purchasing or PO-processing role.

A firm in Indianapolis is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join a fast-growing specialty chemicals organization with a global supplier footprint. This is a high-impact, hands-on role focused on raw-material sourcing, supplier strategy, cost analysis, and market intelligence.

The right person will act as a center of excellence for select raw materials — bringing analytical horsepower, vendor curiosity, and the confidence to influence decisions across sourcing, logistics, technical, and leadership teams.

If you enjoy understanding why materials cost what they cost, where supply risk lives, and how to build smarter sourcing strategies, this role will feel like a step up.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Leading strategic sourcing efforts for raw materials used across multiple business units
• Researching, vetting, and onboarding new domestic and international suppliers
• Supporting supplier negotiations through cost modeling, benchmarking, and market analysis
• Tracking commodity trends, tariffs, and cost drivers that impact pricing and availability
• Preparing sourcing recommendations, cost breakdowns, and supplier comparisons for leadership
• Acting as a go-to resource for specific materials, markets, or supplier categories
• Collaborating cross-functionally with logistics, technical teams, product management, and executives
• Supporting forecasting initiatives and providing market intelligence tied to supply and pricing risk

What we’re looking for

Must-haves:

• Experience in strategic sourcing or purchasing of raw materials, chemicals, or industrial goods
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate suppliers, analyze costs, and support sourcing decisions
• Strong analytical skills related to pricing, cost structures, and landed-cost considerations
• Comfort picking up the phone to work directly with suppliers
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment
• Willingness to work on-site in the Indianapolis area

Nice-to-haves:

• Exposure to specialty chemicals, additives, polymers, or advanced materials
• International sourcing experience
• Familiarity with tariffs, Incoterms, or global supply-chain dynamics
• ERP experience (any modern system; flexibility matters more than brand)

Why this role is different

• This is a strategic role, not clerical purchasing
• You’ll influence sourcing direction, not just execute orders
• High visibility to senior leadership and cross-functional teams
• Opportunity to help build and shape sourcing capability as the company grows
• Entrepreneurial culture where people pitch in and “that’s not my job” doesn’t fly

Compensation & details

• Competitive base salary aligned with experience
• Target annual bonus opportunity
• Full-time, on-site role with long-term growth potential