Sr. Sourcing Manager

Ascentek, Inc.; Golden Valley (MN); On-site; USD 118,505 - 150,949; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plan options

Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

21 Paid Days Off

7 Paid Holidays

Job summary

Ascentek, Inc. is seeking a Sourcing Manager in Golden Valley, Minnesota. This full-time position involves managing sourcing operations, vendor partnerships, and supply chain strategy. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's in Supply Chain or related field. Key responsibilities include supplier negotiations, developing category strategies, and overseeing MRP. The salary range for this role is between $118,505 and $150,949 annually, with excellent benefits including medical, dental, paid parental leave, and more.

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in supply chain or sourcing roles.
• 1 - 3 years supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong expertise in supplier negotiations and cost modeling.
• Ability to analyze data for decision making.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing operations and vendor partnerships.
• Develop and execute category strategies.
• Lead supplier selection and negotiations.
• Oversee MRP and inventory strategies.

Skills

Supplier negotiation

Data analysis

Leadership

Supply chain optimization

Risk management

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

BI tools

Job description

With a purpose to make tomorrow a little bit better than today for each other, our customers, and our communities,Ascentek provides an environment where you can love what you do and be your best every day.

What you will enjoy by being a part of a 2025 USA Great Place to Work certified company:

A position that is: Salary, Full time, Mon-Fri

• Medical Plan options, including fertility coverage and free mental health and telehealth coverage
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• FSA/HSA options
• Paid parental leave
• Company-provided short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Supplemental Insurances, including accident, critical illness, hospital, and supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) with a generous company match
• Pet Insurance Benefits
• 21 Paid Days Off
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Dress For Your Day (casual dress environment)
• Company phone provided
• Company computer provided

The Sourcing Manager m anages sourcing operations that build value-driven vendor partnerships with a focus on risk management, reliability, and cost-effectiveness that support overall organizational strategies. Follows structured negotiation processes to conduct supplier negotiations and contracting. Coordinates with internal stakeholders to define material, quality, and service requirements and standards. Nurtures vendor partnerships, tracks KPI's and goals and monitors scorecards to measure and evaluate vendor performance. Evaluates new sources, methods, and vendors to ensure a reliable supply of materials. Studies market intelligence and conduct frequent market analysis and benchmarking to anticipate price fluctuations. Manages processes, creates efficiencies, and controls costs using ERP systems and software tools. Typically reports to a senior manager or director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Strategy & Ownership

• Own category performance across cost, service levels, quality, and supply risk.
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies across:
  • Hard parts and mechanical components
  • Vehicle wash systems and installation materials/services
  • eCommerce product portfolio (high-SKU, demand variability, fulfillment-driven)
  • Battery categories (regulated products, shelf-life considerations, supplier constraints)
• Align category strategies with channel-specific requirements:
  • Manufacturing & operations
  • Field installations
  • eCommerce / distribution
• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) through sourcing optimization, supplier consolidation, and should-cost analysis.
• Monitor market dynamics (commodities, freight, capacity, regulatory considerations for batteries) and proactively adjust strategies.

Supplier Strategy & Commercial Leadership

• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, and contract management across all categories.
• Develop strategic partnerships with suppliers.
• Establish and manage supplier performance KPIs (OTIF, quality, lead time, cost competitiveness).
• Implement risk mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing and safety stock strategies for critical SKUs and install components.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to improve lead times, cost, and service levels.

Planning & Execution Oversight

• Oversee execution of MRP, forecasting, and replenishment strategies across diverse demand streams:
  • Project-based installation demand
  • Ensure inventory strategies reflect:
    • Service level targets by channel
    • Shelf-life and storage constraints (batteries)
    • Lead time variability and supply risk
• Manage trade-offs between inventory investment, service levels, and cost efficiency.
• Provide escalation support for shortages, allocation scenarios, and installation-critical delays.
• Lead and develop a team of buyers/planners.
• Define roles and responsibilities to ensure proper balance between:
  • Strategic category management
  • Tactical purchasing and planning execution
• Coach team members on:
  • Supplier negotiations
  • Data analysis and decision-making
  • Category ownership mindset
• Drive performance management and continuous skill development.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the primary Supply Chain leader for assigned categories.
• Partner closely with:
  • Operations (production planning and material availability)
  • Engineering (specifications, substitutions, product changes)
  • Field Services (installation timelines and material readiness)
  • eCommerce / Commercial teams (SKU availability, service levels, promotions)
  • Finance (cost tracking, savings validation)
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and expansion of eCommerce offerings.
• Own multi-million-dollar category spend and deliver against cost savings and margin targets.
• Drive improvements in:
  • Inventory turns and working capital
  • Supplier performance and reliability
  • Cost structure across channels
• Ensure alignment between contracts, pricing, invoices, and ERP data integrity.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.

Experience and/or Training

• 5 years' experience in the related area as an individual contributor.
• 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required.
• Hard parts / industrial components
• Installation or project-based supply chains
• eCommerce or high-SKU environments
• Prior experience leading or mentoring team members.
• Strong expertise in supplier negotiations, cost modeling, and supply risk management.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis.
• BI tools for spend and supply chain analytics.
• Understanding of logistics, fulfillment models, and landed cost structures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic category management.
• Leadership and team development.
• Supplier negotiation and relationship management.
• Multi-channel supply chain optimization.
• Risk management and problem solving.
• Financial and operational acumen.
• APICS CPIM / CSCP
• CPSM
• Battery or regulated product categories.

Physical demands: talking, hearing, sitting, walking, reaching, etc.

Mental Demands: Comprehend and follow instructions, perform assigned tasks, maintain an appropriate work pace, perform complex or varied tasks, relate to others, influence people, make decisions, direct, control, plan, interact with public or coworkers in written form, communicate orally, etc.

Environmental demands: This job operates in a professional office environment as well as remote. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or hazardous material when in our warehouse facilities.

The anticipated hiring range for the role you are applying for is between $118,505and $150,949 annually. This anticipated hiring range is based on several factors, and subject to increase based on the below:

• Experience and qualifications: The depth of relevant experience and specific skills you bring to the position.
• Education and certifications: Any additional qualifications that enhance your ability to succeed in the role.
• Market and industry benchmarks: We compare compensation packages with industry standards to ensure we are competitive.
• Internal equity: We strive to maintain pay equity across the organization to ensure fairness for all teammates performing similar work.

Ascentek is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.