Strategic Sourcing Buyer

The L.S. Starrett Company; Athol (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The L.S. Starrett Company in Athol, MA is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Buyer. You will own sourcing activities, lead RFQs/RFPs, negotiate terms, evaluate suppliers, and drive cost reductions while aligning with product quality and delivery goals.

This role collaborates with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to optimize the supply base. You will develop strategic plans, monitor supplier performance, and support new product introductions and continuity planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field with manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain in manufacturing.
• Experience sourcing raw materials and production services; supplier negotiations.
• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems and data analysis; cost of ownership mindset.
• Strong Excel, reporting, and data visualization capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories.
• Lead RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contracts.
• Analyze costs, tariffs, freight, and market trends to drive savings.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance, and scorecards.
• Create dashboards and reports communicating supplier performance.
• Support new product introductions, supplier transitions, and continuity plans.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Problem-solving

Excel skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management

APICS/ASCM CPSM CPM certification or similar

Tools

Epicor

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

ERP/MRP systems

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Help shape the future of manufacturing through smarter sourcing, stronger partnerships, and better supply chain solutions. The L.S. Starrett Company is looking for a motivated and analytical Strategic Sourcing Buyer to join our team in Athol, Massachusetts.

The Opportunity

As our Strategic Sourcing Buyer, you will own sourcing activities for assigned commodities and supplier categories. You will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to make thoughtful, data-driven decisions that support quality, delivery, cost, and long-term business goals.

• Develop and lead strategic sourcing plans.
• Identify new suppliers and develop strong supplier partnerships.
• Lead RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract discussions.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and service agreements.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier costs, tariffs, freight, inflation, and industry trends.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve supply chain performance.
• Evaluate and reduce supplier, capacity, financial, logistics, and single-source risks.
• Develop alternate-source, dual-source, recovery, and business-continuity plans.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and supplier transitions.
• Partner with Operations and Planning to maintain material availability and optimize inventory.
• Lead supplier scorecards, business reviews, corrective actions, and improvement plans.
• Issue purchase orders and maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information.
• Track cost savings, cost avoidance, inventory improvements, and other business results.
• Create dashboards and reports that clearly communicate supplier performance and sourcing results.
• Present recommendations and key insights to leadership.
• Support responsible sourcing, supplier compliance, quality requirements, and company purchasing policies.

What Makes You a Strong Candidate?

You are a strategic thinker who enjoys solving problems, working with people, and turning information into action. You are comfortable managing multiple priorities and are confident communicating with suppliers, internal teams, and leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, purchasing, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing raw materials, components, and production-related services.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Experience using ERP or MRP systems.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier management, and total cost of ownership.
• Advanced analytical and Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to create professional reports, dashboards, graphs, and data visualizations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of contracts, Incoterms, supplier cost structures, inventory planning, and domestic and international sourcing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Epicor, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or a similar ERP system.
• APICS/ASCM, CPSM, CPM, or another relevant supply chain certification.
• Experience supporting new product introductions or supplier transitions.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence tools.

Why This Role Matters

The decisions made in this position directly affect our ability to deliver quality products, support our employees, serve our customers, and remain competitive.

• Strengthen supplier relationships.
• Improve quality and on-time delivery.
• Reduce costs and avoid unnecessary expenses.
• Protect production from supply disruptions.
• Improve inventory and working-capital performance.
• Build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.

Work Environment

This position works in both an office and manufacturing environment and regularly interacts with production, warehouse, engineering, quality, and supplier personnel.

• Work at a computer for extended periods.
• Walk through manufacturing and warehouse areas.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Wear required personal protective equipment in manufacturing areas.
• Travel up to 15% for supplier visits, audits, and industry meetings.
• Occasionally support supplier or production needs outside normal business hours.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Position Details

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Buyer Location: Athol, MA - Job Type: Full-Time - Hybrid Reports To: Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement

The L.S. Starrett Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law.