Sourcing Manager, Knoxville TN

Kelvion; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelvion in Knoxville, TN, is seeking an experienced Sourcing Manager to lead sourcing efforts and manage supplier relationships. The effective candidate will oversee strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations to ensure cost-efficiency and product quality across multiple manufacturing sites.

Applicants should have a BA in Supply Chain Management or relevant experience in managing significant annual spend. This role focuses on enhancing operational excellence and ethical sourcing practices.

Join us and shape the future of innovation and sustainability.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of strategic sourcing experience, preferably in manufacturing sectors.
• Experience managing $100M+ in annual spend and multi-site supervision.
• Strong understanding of complex fabricated components.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing efforts across multiple sites with significant annual spend.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with corporate goals.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers for competitive advantages.
• Track and report sourcing KPIs like cost savings and lead time reduction.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Leadership

Negotiation

Risk management

Education

BA in Supply Chain Management or related area

Job description

Our mission is to lead the industrial transformation by championing innovation and sustainability. From optimising data centres and advancing hydrogen production to revolutionising refrigeration and HVAC systems, our mission‑critical thermal solutions empower industries around the globe. United as “One Kelvion,” our global team delivers innovative solutions that drive customer success and support a sustainable future.

Together, We Shape the Future

Kelvion Inc., one of the leading global and domestic manufacturers of heat exchangers is seeking to hire an experienced Sourcing Manager to join our team. The Sourcing Manager will support Kelvion’s business strategy by developing and managing a supply base that can provide Kelvion with the best value, highest quality, and lowest total cost supply chain solution to secure a sustainable competitiveness advantage and support the recognition of Kelvion as quality and technology leader.

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Oversight

• Lead sourcing efforts across multiple sites with a large annual spend on complex categories, including structural steel, electrical components, and precision metal fabrication (welding, bending, drilling, tapping, etc.).
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with corporate goals while delivering measurable improvements in cost, quality, availability, and risk mitigation.
• Leverage detailed understanding of global commodities markets to drive long‑term sourcing decisions and forecast spend and risk 1–3 years in advance.
• Build and manage multi‑tiered sourcing strategies that include primary, secondary, and tertiary suppliers for critical commodities, with attention to regional capacity, geopolitical risks, tariffs, and logistics constraints.
• Use economic indicators and market intelligence to proactively mitigate material shortages, price spikes, and disruptions by diversifying sources and leveraging global vendor partnerships.

Vendor Management & Negotiation

• Establish and maintain robust vendor relationships with both domestic and international suppliers, focusing on performance, reliability, and long‑term value creation.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long‑term agreements to secure competitive advantages, capacity guarantees, and supply continuity.
• Be direct, transparent, and firm in supplier discussions, ensuring accountability and alignment with contractual commitments.
• Evaluate supplier financial health, operational capacity, and contingency planning as part of the onboarding and ongoing risk management process.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor a team of 6 direct reports and up to 12 indirect reports (5 sourcing specialists and 1 MRO supervisor) across multiple manufacturing sites, promoting a high‑performance, accountable culture.
• Delegate projects and initiatives in a structured way, ensuring clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Solve behavioral or performance issues within the team swiftly and fairly, setting the tone for professionalism, urgency, and teamwork.
• Serve as a role model of integrity, clear communication, and execution‑focused leadership.

Operational Excellence

• Track and report sourcing KPIs such as cost savings, lead time reduction, OTD, and supplier scorecards.
• Implement standard work and continuous improvement processes across sites to optimize sourcing operations.
• Ensure alignment of sourcing activity with business priorities such as working capital targets, production uptime, and quality standards.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Proactively identify and address global sourcing risks including tariff changes, regulatory shifts, transportation bottlenecks, and natural disasters.
• Design commodity‑specific sourcing strategies that account for regional risk, shipping constraints, and supplier capacity, enabling business continuity.
• Establish formal risk mitigation plans including alternative vendor development, dual sourcing, and regional diversification.
• Maintain ethical sourcing practices and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.

Other Responsibilities

• To ensure Kelvion’s Standard of Excellence, which includes quality, is incorporated into every product we produce.
• Follow all company policies and procedures, including but not limited to Global Code of Business Principles, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Vision and Values, Operational Framework.

Requirements (knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Minimum 3–5 years of strategic sourcing experience, preferably in heavy industrial or heat exchanger/manufacturing sectors.
• Proven management of $100M+ in annual spend and multi‑site supervision experience, preferably within a global organization.
• High integrity, leadership presence, and the ability to set the cultural tone of the team.
• Strong technical understanding of complex fabricated components, including weldments, steel structures, electrical systems, and mechanical assemblies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (required Levels)

• BA in Supply Chain Management or related area of study, or 5 plus years in a position with responsibility for direct material cost reduction.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; reach with hands, arms, and shoulders. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee occasionally will be required hand lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. At Kelvion we thrive on collaboration, embracing diversity of thought, and valuing every voice. Within Kelvion creativity shines because people are listened to, their contributions recognised, and their ideas welcomed. Our flexible approach to the way we work places people’s health and satisfaction as a priority, enhancing engagement and fostering career opportunities. We empower engaged individuals to grow, progress and carve their own paths within the company.

Together, We Shape the Future

Apply now