Strategic Sourcing Leader, Solar Supply Chain

Canadian Solar Inc.; Jeffersonville (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Power Systems, a cutting-edge division of Canadian Solar, is hiring a Sourcing Specialist in Jeffersonville, IN. You will lead strategic sourcing for direct materials, develop cost-saving strategies, and manage supplier evaluations to secure continuous supply and value.

The role requires 5+ years in strategic sourcing, strong negotiation, and data analysis skills, with collaboration across Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or Supplier Relationship Management, with proven experience leading sourcing projects and supplier initiatives.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills with the ability to assess supplier performance, analyze procurement data, and support informed business decisions.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), or equivalent credentials are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing activities for direct materials to support business objectives, operational requirements, and supply continuity.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supplier performance.
• Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments to support sourcing decisions.
• Manage RFIs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, and sourcing recommendations while ensuring competitive and compliant procurement processes.
• Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to support localization initiatives, capacity requirements, and supply chain resilience.
• Lead commercial negotiations for pricing, contracts, payment terms, and service agreements to maximize value and mitigate risk.
• Drive cost reduction and value improvement initiatives through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, value engineering, and supplier collaboration.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and procurement cost management activities while monitoring commodity and market trends.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliable supply, service excellence, and long-term strategic partnerships.
• Monitor supplier performance, conduct root cause analysis for issues, and implement corrective and preventive action plans to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams on supplier qualification, audits, compliance requirements, and supplier development initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Planning, Logistics, Quality, and Finance teams to support production, project, and business requirements.
• Lead sourcing projects, supplier transitions, new product introductions (NPI), engineering changes, and capacity expansion initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks related to capacity, quality, logistics, geopolitical factors, and supplier financial stability through proactive planning.
• Develop contingency plans, alternative sourcing strategies, and business continuity initiatives to ensure uninterrupted supply of critical materials and services.
• All other duties as assigned

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Procurement leadership

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation skills

Data analysis

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

CS Power Systems, a cutting-edge division of Canadian Solar, is hiring a Sourcing Specialist in Jeffersonville, IN. You will lead strategic sourcing for direct materials, develop cost-saving strategies, and manage supplier evaluations to secure continuous supply and value.

The role requires 5+ years in strategic sourcing, strong negotiation, and data analysis skills, with collaboration across Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.