Global Sourcing Specialist

Itape; Cincinnati, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Itape in Cincinnati, Ohio is seeking a Sourcing Specialist to support Global Sourcing activities focused on paper-based materials, release liners, and related raw materials. You will collaborate with R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and Procurement to coordinate trials, engage suppliers, and drive data-driven decisions on cost, quality, and availability.

The role emphasizes market knowledge of paper materials, supplier qualification, RFx leadership, and developing sourcing roadmaps to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Experience in raw material sourcing, with a focus on paper-based materials.
• Strong ability to translate technical needs between R&D and operations.

Responsibilities

• Support category strategies and sourcing initiatives for paper-based materials.
• Coordinate trials, supplier engagement, and data tracking to support budgets.
• Lead RFIs/RFQs/RFPs and consolidate supplier information and pricing.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions with internal teams.

Skills

Excel

Data analysis

Negotiation

Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field

Tools

Reporting dashboards

Job description

Position Description

Title: Sourcing Specialist

Department: Global Sourcing

Immediate Supervisor: Sr. Global Sourcing Manager

Status: Exempt

Position Overview: Supports Global Sourcing activities and assists in category management for specified raw materials, including paper related spend, and other raw materials as directed. Acts as a liaison across R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and Procurement to facilitate material trials, supplier engagement, and sourcing initiatives. Provides category knowledge and market insights as needed, with emphasis on paper-based materials including various paper and release liners. Delivering data-driven analysis and reporting to inform decisions on cost, quality, availability, and innovation.

Principle Accountabilities

• Support category strategies and sourcing initiatives for assigned raw materials, including paper-based materials including but not limited to release liners
• Maintain working knowledge of paper markets and materials and support paper-related sourcing initiatives as needed; Serve as primary liaison across R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and communicate material trials, qualifications, and changes.
• Coordinate trial material orders, including; track timelines, requirements, and trial-related spend to support budget visibility.
• Lead and/or support RFI/RFQ/RFP processes for liners and other materials as directed; consolidate supplier inputs, technical documentation, and pricing data.
• Assess, and integrate new or existing suppliers to support future requirements and innovation projects.
• Build and maintain supplier KPI metrics/scorecards; monitor and improve supplier performance against quality, delivery, service, and cost targets.
• Assist in resolution of supply and/or quality issues; coordinate corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams and mediate price/quality disputes as needed.
• Develop sourcing roadmaps and monitor timetables to ensure timely availability of materials to support plant operations and new product launch programs.
• Review supplier capacities and supply risks; recommend tooling and capital investments and/or dual sourcing to protect continuity and support growth.
• Perform demand/supply and market analysis to assess short and long-term pricing trends, raw material availability, and industry capacity for liners and paper.
• Manage sourcing and trial data quality; cleanse and maintain data and deliver reporting/dashboards (trial results, material performance, cost comparisons) to enable decision-making.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experiencein a related field
• Experience in raw material sourcing, with a preference for paper and paper-based materials.
• Working knowledge of paper materials including paper varieties and release liner materials, markets, and specifications; ability to translate technical needs with R&D and Plant Operations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in the Purchasing or Supply Chain field, in manufacturing environment
• Experience finding, qualifying, assessing, and auditing suppliers, including international
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent planning, organizational and oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and reporting/dashboard tools
• Travel is required (up to 20%). Some international travel may be required.
• Position requires the ability to organize and conduct meetings with internal and external customer and suppliers.
• Position requires an advanced level of negotiating skills needed for involvement in supplier contract process and cost reductions.
• Position requires interaction with other internal groups concerning technical matters, conveying ideas, and recommending possible solutions to problems.
• Formal Project Management training a plus.