Global Strategic Sourcing Leader — Drive Growth

Socket.dev; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hydraulic Technologies (HT) in Rockford, IL, is seeking a Global Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead sourcing, supplier development, and cost-reduction initiatives across a global supplier network.

In this high-visibility role, you will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to build a world-class supplier base, drive continuous improvement, and enable new product introductions while strengthening our competitive position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supplier quality, or supply chain leadership roles.
• Experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience leading supplier development and cost reduction initiatives.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, supplier audits, and quality systems.
• Proven project management and cross-functional leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support business objectives and growth initiatives.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers across key commodity categories.
• Lead supplier negotiations, RFQs, contract management, and cost benchmarking activities.
• Establish supplier performance metrics and scorecards focused on quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Build strong supplier relationships that support long-term business success.
• Develop dual-source and risk-mitigation strategies for critical commodities.
• Deliver annual cost savings through strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
• Lead localization initiatives that reduce lead times, lower costs, and improve supply chain resilience.
• Collaborate with Engineering on value analysis/value engineering opportunities.
• Utilize should-cost methodologies and market intelligence to identify savings opportunities.
• Drive supplier quality initiatives including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and corrective actions.
• Conduct supplier audits and quality system assessments.
• Lead supplier performance improvement plans and root cause investigations.
• Establish continuous improvement roadmaps with key suppliers.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing, localization, and supplier development projects.
• Ensure supplier readiness for new product introductions and production launches.
• Track project milestones, risks, and performance metrics.
• Communicate project status and results to stakeholders and leadership teams.
• Partner with Operations and Planning teams to address supplier-related challenges.
• Support material availability and risk mitigation efforts.
• Participate in S&OP and operational planning activities to ensure supply alignment.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Cost reduction

Supplier development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field

Tools

SAP

Power BI

APQP/PPAP

Lean Manufacturing

S&OP

Job description

Hydraulic Technologies (HT) in Rockford, IL, is seeking a Global Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead sourcing, supplier development, and cost-reduction initiatives across a global supplier network.

In this high-visibility role, you will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to build a world-class supplier base, drive continuous improvement, and enable new product introductions while strengthening our competitive position.