Strategic Purchasing Specialist - Advanced Tech

novanta; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Novanta is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to own supplier relationships and strategic sourcing for electronic, mechanical, and custom-engineered components. The role collaborates with engineering, planning, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers worldwide to ensure material availability and cost-effective supply.

You will lead negotiations, drive cost reductions, support new product introductions, and manage procurement data within ERP/MRP systems, contributing to continuous improvement across

Qualifications

• Experience as Purchasing Specialist, Buyer or related roles in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management track record.
• Knowledge of procurement principles, sourcing methodologies and supplier performance.
• Experience purchasing technical products and materials within a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to analyse spend and identify cost-saving opportunities with data-driven decisions.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and procurement metrics.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for electronic, mechanical, and custom-engineered components.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance, and commercial agreements to achieve cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Lead supplier negotiations including pricing, lead times, payment terms, and service levels.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, and supply chain optimisation.
• Work closely with planning and operations teams to ensure material availability and inventory targets are achieved.
• Assess supply risks and implement mitigation plans to maintain continuity of supply.
• Support new product introductions by identifying, evaluating, and onboarding suppliers.
• Drive supplier performance improvements through KPI reviews and corrective action plans.
• Manage procurement data, contracts, pricing, and sourcing information within ERP/MRP systems.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain processes.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Supplier negotiations

Commercial acumen

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

CIPS awareness

Education

CIPS qualification (in progress)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Novanta is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to own supplier relationships and strategic sourcing for electronic, mechanical, and custom-engineered components. The role collaborates with engineering, planning, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers worldwide to ensure material availability and cost-effective supply.

You will lead negotiations, drive cost reductions, support new product introductions, and manage procurement data within ERP/MRP systems, contributing to continuous improvement across