Lead Sourcing Specialist - Commodity Management

Crane Company; Kentucky; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm is seeking a Lead Sourcing Specialist to oversee strategic procurement activities for nuclear-grade materials. This role includes developing sourcing strategies, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and coordinating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree. The position offers the opportunity to improve supplier performance while optimizing costs. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of sourcing or supply chain experience in regulated industries.
• Proven experience managing complex procurement and supplier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to expand qualified supply base.
• Conduct market analysis to identify qualified suppliers.
• Lead quote requests, competitive bidding, and supplier selection processes.
• Ensure procurement compliance with regulatory standards.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities without compromising safety or quality.

Skills

Strong understanding of nuclear regulatory frameworks and quality standards

Excellent negotiation, communication, and contract management abilities

Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineering requirements

Analytical mindset with proficiency in ERP systems and supply chain analytics tools

Strong leadership and stakeholder-management capabilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s degree (MBA or MS in Supply Chain/Engineering)

Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, PMP, nuclear-specific training

Job description

The Lead Sourcing Specialist oversees strategic procurement activities for nuclear-grade materials, and subcontractor services. This role ensures that all sourcing decisions meet stringent nuclear industry standards, support operational reliability, and optimize cost, quality, and supplier performance. The position typically partners closely with operations, engineering, quality assurance, project management, and regulatory teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to mitigate single and sole sourced risk, expand qualified supply base, monitor current supply challenges, and build supplier relationships.
• Conduct market analysis to identify qualified suppliers capable of meeting regulatory and technical requirements.
• Lead high level quote requests, competitive bidding, contract negotiations, and supplier selection processes.
• Manage Non-Disclosures, Terms and Conditions, Long-Term Agreements, Strategic Supply Agreements and strategic supplier relationships to ensure continuity of supply.
• Work with engineering teams to understand technical specifications and ensure accurate procurement packages. Support supplier audits, qualifications, monthly scorecard reports.
• Drive supplier development initiatives and lead dual sourcing opportunities to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Supplier Onboarding, Invoice Reconciliation, Material Master, and Purchasing Info Record data entries.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with export-controlled documents, nuclear and aerospace industry standards such as ASME, NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, ISO 9001, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain documentation and traceability for safety-related and non-safety-related procurement.
• Support supplier audits, qualifications and monthly scorecard reports.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Review and Implement Engineering Change Notifications.
• Coordinate with legal and commercial teams on contract terms, warranties, and compliance clauses.
• Regular collaboration with Materials Management, Technology and Engineering, Operations and Manufacturing, Quality Inspection and Assurance, Product Line Leaders, and Sales.

Cost & Process Optimization

• Identify cost-reduction opportunities without compromising nuclear safety or quality.
• Implement best practices in sourcing, category management, and supply chain optimization.
• Use data analytics to track KPIs, forecast demand, and improve procurement efficiency.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear, Industrial), Business Administration, or a related field.
• Preferred: Master’s degree (MBA or MS in Supply Chain/Engineering).
• Additional advantage: Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, PMP, or nuclear-specific training (e.g., NQA-1 Lead Auditor).

Experience

• 5–10+ years of sourcing or supply chain experience, ideally in the nuclear, energy, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven experience managing complex technical procurement and supplier negotiations within the guidelines of certified quality and safety programs.

Skills

• Strong understanding of nuclear regulatory frameworks and quality standards.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and contract management abilities.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and engineering requirements.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in ERP systems and supply chain analytics tools.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder-management capabilities.

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Crane Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.