Strategic Sourcing Buyer

Starrett; Athol (MA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The L.S. Starrett Company in Athol, MA is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Buyer to own sourcing for assigned commodities and collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance.

You will lead RFQs/RFPs, negotiate terms, analyze market data, and develop supplier strategies to improve quality, delivery, and total cost of ownership.

This hybrid role offers the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions, manage supplier performance, and contribute to business continuity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing raw materials 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Power BI/Tableau

Job description

Strategic Sourcing Buyer

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.

This is an opportunity to play an important role in how we source materials, manage supplier relationships, support production, reduce costs, and protect the continuity of our operations. You will have the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions, lead negotiations, develop suppliers, and present recommendations directly to company leadership.

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.

You will be trusted to:

• 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.

You will help us:

• 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.

The role requires the ability to:

• 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

Join The L.S. Starrett Company

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.