Strategic Sourcing Manager

Ballard Power Systems; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Ballard Power Systems is seeking an experienced Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead our sourcing team in developing and executing global strategies that optimize cost, drive innovation, mitigate risk, and ensure supply continuity. You will manage RFx processes, support New Product Introductions, and qualify new suppliers while expanding the supplier base to enhance flexibility and cost competitiveness.

The role expects strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration across engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; Professional qualification in Supply Chain and Logistics (e.g., SCMP, APICS, CIPS, ISM) preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management in a global, manufacturing-based environment.
• Proven track record in leading RFx processes, supplier qualification, and cost savings initiatives.
• Strong experience negotiating and finalizing supply agreements, including warranties, liabilities, and commercial terms.
• Knowledge of NPI sourcing and early supplier involvement in product development.
• Experience with low-cost country sourcing, supplier risk management, and global supplier development.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, sourcing tools, and contract lifecycle management platforms. Experience with Oracle Cloud, Agile and Power BI tools preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve targets and objectives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute robust global sourcing strategies aligned with company goals, product roadmaps, and market dynamics to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Lead and manage RFx (RFI, RFQ, RFP) and competitive bidding processes across a range of categories and commodities.
• Expand the supplier base to enhance supply chain flexibility, resilience, and cost competitiveness. Source and qualify new suppliers, especially in low-cost countries, capable of supporting new technologies, materials, and processes.
• Identify and drive cost reduction initiatives, leveraging supplier competition, product redesign, should cost analysis and value engineering principles. Build and maintain a strategic savings pipeline; track execution and report results to senior leadership.
• Serve as the sourcing lead for NPI programs, driving early supplier engagement and supporting cross-functional development teams.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing strategic sourcing team, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive the development of long-term strategic commodity roadmaps aligned with product lifecycles, technology evolution, market trends, and business goals.
• Build and institutionalize best practices in category management, opportunity tracking, supplier performance management, and sourcing analytics.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing to reduce organizational risk and strengthen team capabilities.
• Actively participate in SCM leadership forums and represent the sourcing function in key strategic initiatives.
• Manage hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and team development in coordination with senior leadership.

Skills

RFx management

Cost savings

NPI sourcing

Supplier development

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Engineering/Business

SCMP/APICS/CIPS/ISM certification (preferred)

Tools

Oracle Cloud

SAP or ERP systems

Power BI

Agile

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the sourcing team in the development and execution of global strategies that support cost efficiency, innovation, risk mitigation, and supply continuity. This role is critical in managing complex RFx and competitive bidding processes, supporting New Product Introductions (NPI), and qualifying new suppliers. Key responsibilities include driving cross-functional initiatives to achieve cost savings, develop strategic commodity roadmaps, and strengthen the global sourcing organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing Management

• Develop and execute robust global sourcing strategies aligned with company goals, product roadmaps, and market dynamics to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Lead and manage RFx (RFI, RFQ, RFP) and competitive bidding processes across a range of categories and commodities.
• Expand the supplier base to enhance supply chain flexibility, resilience, and cost competitiveness. Source and qualify new suppliers, especially in low-cost countries, capable of supporting new technologies, materials, and processes.
• Identify and drive cost reduction initiatives, leveraging supplier competition, product redesign, should cost analysis and value engineering principles. Build and maintain a strategic savings pipeline; track execution and report results to senior leadership.
• Serve as the sourcing lead for NPI programs, driving early supplier engagement and supporting cross-functional development teams.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing strategic sourcing team, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive the development of long-term strategic commodity roadmaps aligned with product lifecycles, technology evolution, market trends, and business goals.
• Build and institutionalize best practices in category management, opportunity tracking, supplier performance management, and sourcing analytics.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing to reduce organizational risk and strengthen team capabilities.
• Actively participate in SCM leadership forums and represent the sourcing function in key strategic initiatives.
• Manage hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and team development in coordination with senior leadership.

Supply Agreement Negotiation & Finalization

• Lead the negotiation and execution of complex supply agreements, including commercial terms, service levels and performance metrics.
• Ensure that supplier warranties, liabilities, and contractual terms meet or exceed those offered to customers, reducing risk and ensuring commercial alignment.
• Collaborate closely with legal, engineering, and quality teams to ensure contracts are comprehensive, enforceable, and aligned with business requirements.
• Develop and implement sourcing risk management strategies across geographies, categories, and suppliers.
• Support multi-sourcing, and inventory strategies to ensure business continuity and responsiveness to disruption.
• Monitor geopolitical, regulatory, and market risks, and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.

Quality, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure supplier compliance with internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Integrate sustainability and responsible sourcing practices into sourcing strategies and supplier selection.
• Monitor supplier performance, conduct business reviews, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead supplier audits, assessments, and onboarding in collaboration with engineering and quality assurance.

Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; Professional qualification in Supply Chain and Logistics (e.g., SCMP, APICS, CIPS, ISM) preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management in a global, manufacturing-based environment.
• Proven track record in leading RFx processes, supplier qualification, and cost savings initiatives.
• Strong experience negotiating and finalizing supply agreements, including warranties, liabilities, and commercial terms.
• Knowledge of NPI sourcing and early supplier involvement in product development.
• Experience with low-cost country sourcing, supplier risk management, and global supplier development.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, sourcing tools, and contract lifecycle management platforms. Experience with Oracle Cloud, Agile and Power BI tools preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve targets and objectives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred

• Familiarity with sustainability standards and frameworks (e.g., ISO 14001, ESG).
• Understanding of lean principles, value stream mapping, or Six Sigma methodologies.

As a Ballard employee, we want you to feel valued and appreciated for your efforts. That’s why we offer a competitive benefits package in addition to a performance-driven compensation philosophy. From bonuses to benefits, our people work hard, and we believe they should be rewarded for it. We care about career growth and development. We believe in work-life balance with tons of flexibility and rewarding benefits.

Our Values

Listen & Deliver | Quality. Always. | Inspire Excellence | Row Together | Own It

Ballard values diversity in the workplace and is committed to Employment Equity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates.