Strategic Sourcing Lead

ER Associates, Inc.; Illinois; Presencial; USD 90.000 - 130.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Health benefits

Descripción de la vacante

TalentBridge is partnering with an established industrial manufacturer to hire a Strategic Sourcing professional who will develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy. You will focus on strategic initiatives, supplier relationships, and cost optimization across machined components and engineered materials.

The role collaborates with engineering, manufacturing, and operations to drive supplier performance, risk management, and long-term value.

Formación

• 5–7 years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supplier development in manufacturing.
• Experience developing and executing strategic sourcing strategies.
• Sourcing machined components, fabricated parts, or engineered materials.
• Knowledge of CNC machining, precision manufacturing, and supplier capabilities.
• Experience with spend analysis, supplier evaluations, and negotiations.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic sourcing plan aligned with objectives.
• Evaluate procurement practices and supplier relationships for opportunities.
• Lead sourcing for machined components, fabricated parts, and engineered materials.
• Conduct spend analysis and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Establish supplier relationships and performance measurement frameworks.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations on sourcing challenges and cost improvements.

Conocimientos

Strategic sourcing

Supplier development

Cost reduction

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related

CPSM certification

CSCP certification

CPIM certification

Herramientas

SAP

Excel

ERP systems

Descripción del empleo

Position Overview

TalentBridge is partnering with an established industrial manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Strategic Sourcing candidateto help develop, implement, and execute a comprehensive strategic sourcing strategy.

This is a highly visible opportunity for a sourcing professional who wants to play an instrumental role in building and strengthening a strategic procurement function.

The position is 100% focused on strategic sourcing rather than transactional purchasing. The successful candidate will evaluate existing supplier relationships, identify opportunities for cost optimization, develop commodity sourcing strategies, and establish long-term supplier partnerships that support manufacturing operations and business growth.

This individual will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and supply chain leadership to introduce structured sourcing practices, improve supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, and strengthen supply chain resilience.

The ideal candidate brings a combination of strategic thinking, technical manufacturing knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to independently develop and execute sourcing initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Strategy Development

• Help develop and implement a comprehensive strategic sourcing plan aligned with organizational objectives.
• Evaluate existing procurement practices, supplier relationships, and purchasing patterns to identify strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodities, particularly machined components, fabricated parts, and engineered manufacturing materials.
• Conduct spend analysis to identify cost reduction opportunities, supplier consolidation potential, and sourcing inefficiencies.
• Establish sourcing priorities, implementation plans, and measurable performance objectives.
• Identify opportunities to transition traditional purchasing practices into a more structured, strategic sourcing model.
• Collaborate with supply chain leadership to develop sourcing processes, supplier evaluation methodologies, and procurement best practices.

Supplier Development & Relationship Management

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop domestic and international suppliers.
• Conduct supplier market research and competitive benchmarking to identify alternative sourcing opportunities.
• Lead supplier evaluations and qualification initiatives in collaboration with engineering, quality, and operations.
• Establish strategic supplier relationships that support long-term cost competitiveness, quality, and delivery performance.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, capacity, financial stability, and operational performance.
• Partner with suppliers to identify opportunities for cost optimization, process improvements, and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Develop supplier performance improvement initiatives and mitigate supply chain risks.

Cost Reduction & Strategic Negotiations

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives focused on achieving measurable and sustainable cost reductions.
• Manage competitive sourcing events, including RFQs, supplier evaluations, bid comparisons, and supplier selection.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, long-term agreements, and strategic supply arrangements.
• Analyze supplier cost structures, manufacturing processes, material costs, and market conditions.
• Develop cost reduction strategies through supplier consolidation, competitive bidding, alternative sourcing, and value engineering.
• Partner with engineering and suppliers to identify Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) opportunities.
• Evaluate total cost of ownership when making sourcing decisions.
• Track and communicate realized savings, cost avoidance, and sourcing performance improvements.

Technical Sourcing & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations to understand technical requirements and sourcing challenges.
• Source complex machined components, fabricated parts, and engineered materials used in industrial manufacturing applications.
• Interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, tolerances, and manufacturing requirements.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities involving CNC machining, Swiss machining, precision manufacturing, and related production processes.
• Support supplier qualification and component approval activities, including PPAP requirements when applicable.
• Collaborate with engineering on design-to-cost initiatives, manufacturability improvements, and alternative material or supplier solutions.
• Support sourcing activities for new product development and engineering projects.

Sourcing Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor sourcing performance metrics, including cost savings, supplier quality, delivery, and supply chain risk.
• Develop supplier scorecards and structured performance review processes.
• Analyze procurement data and supplier performance trends to identify improvement opportunities.
• Present sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations, and cost reduction initiatives to leadership.
• Support the development of standardized sourcing processes and strategic procurement best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen sourcing effectiveness and operational performance.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, commodity management, or supplier development within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic sourcing strategies.
• Experience sourcing machined components, fabricated parts, or engineered manufacturing materials.
• Working knowledge of CNC machining, precision manufacturing processes, and supplier manufacturing capabilities.
• Proven experience conducting spend analysis, supplier evaluations, competitive sourcing events, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience identifying, qualifying, onboarding, and developing suppliers.
• Strong understanding of cost analysis, total cost of ownership, and strategic supplier relationship management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations.
• Ability to independently manage strategic sourcing initiatives from development through execution.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related discipline.
• Experience helping establish, formalize, or transform a strategic sourcing function.
• Background sourcing components for industrial equipment, engineered products, or complex manufacturing environments.
• Experience with domestic and international supplier development.
• Familiarity with PPAP, supplier quality management, and VA/VE initiatives.
• Experience with SAP or comparable ERP systems.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, or CPIM.
• Mechanical engineering knowledge or experience collaborating with manufacturing engineering teams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a strategic sourcing professional who enjoys building and improving sourcing processes rather than simply managing existing purchasing activities.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to assess an existing supplier network, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical sourcing strategies that deliver measurable results.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement sourcing strategies that support long-term business objectives.
• Hands-On Execution: Willingness to personally lead sourcing initiatives, develop suppliers, negotiate agreements, and deliver results.
• Technical Manufacturing Knowledge: Understanding of machining processes, engineered components, and manufacturing cost drivers.
• Supplier Development: Experience identifying and developing suppliers that improve cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Analytical Capability: Strong experience with spend analysis, cost modeling, and supplier performance metrics.
• Change Management: Ability to influence stakeholders and help implement a more strategic approach to procurement.
• Results Orientation: Demonstrated success generating cost savings, improving supplier performance, and strengthening sourcing capabilities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to help shape and strengthen the strategic sourcing function within an established manufacturing organization.

Unlike traditional purchasing positions, this role offers the ability to:

• Help build a strategic sourcing plan and influence its execution.
• Take ownership of sourcing initiatives and supplier development activities.
• Drive meaningful cost reductions and operational improvements.
• Introduce structured sourcing processes and supplier management practices.
• Work closely with engineering and operations on technical sourcing challenges.
• Make a measurable impact on the organization's supply chain performance and long-term competitiveness.

TalentBridge employees are eligible for many benefit offerings such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) and holiday pay!