Strategic Sourcing Lead: Precision Mechanical Components

Cantos Ventures; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Life Insurance (2x Salary)

Flexible PTO

401K

Job summary

Salient Motion is seeking a Category Manager, Mechanical Equipment in Torrance, CA. You will own the mechanical supply base for actuator product lines, sourcing precision components and raw materials while managing supplier relationships to ensure on-time, on-cost, within-spec delivery.

Role requires 5+ years in strategic sourcing for regulated manufacturing, GD&T knowledge, AS9100 familiarity, and US Person status under ITAR.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain for precision mechanical components.
• Experience sourcing machined, forged, or cast metal components and raw materials.
• Knowledge of GD&T, material certifications, and special process requirements.
• Experience negotiating supply agreements with machine shops, forge/casting houses, and distributors.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and supplier qualification/audit processes.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Responsibilities

• Own commodity strategy and supplier selection for precision mechanical components (gears, housings, bearings, shafts).
• Lead sourcing for new programs from RFQ through award, negotiating cost, lead time, and capacity commitments.
• Own procurement for New Product Introduction (NPI): lead early supplier involvement, and manage components through initial production.
• Qualify and develop precision machining, forging, and casting suppliers; lead supplier audits and capability assessments.
• Partner with design/manufacturing engineering on material selection to balance cost, performance, and manufacturability.
• Develop should-cost and price targets for mechanical commodities and drive supplier negotiations.
• Manage supplier corrective action for dimensional, material, or process quality escapes.
• Negotiate long-term agreements and POs with key machine shops and distributors.
• Ensure supplier compliance with ITAR/EAR and material traceability/certification requirements.
• Support make/buy decisions and capacity planning with internal CNC shop.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

AS9100 knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

NetSuite

SAP

Epicor

Job description

Salient Motion is seeking a Category Manager, Mechanical Equipment in Torrance, CA. You will own the mechanical supply base for actuator product lines, sourcing precision components and raw materials while managing supplier relationships to ensure on-time, on-cost, within-spec delivery.

Role requires 5+ years in strategic sourcing for regulated manufacturing, GD&T knowledge, AS9100 familiarity, and US Person status under ITAR.