Strategic Sourcing Manager

Sterling Engineering; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

Sterling Engineering seeks a Global Supply Manager to own strategic sourcing and supplier relationships for complex, custom-built products.

This external-facing role focuses on direct sourcing, RFQs, negotiations, supplier development, and cost management, with 7–10 years experience preferred in robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, automation, or related manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct sourcing, strategic procurement, commodity management, or global supply management experience; 7–10 years preferred.
• Hands-on experience leading RFQs, negotiations, supplier selection, contracts, and cost negotiations.
• Experience sourcing custom or engineered products and assemblies.
• Experience sourcing electronics, PCBAs, electromechanical assemblies, or similarly complex products.
• Experience supporting prototype/NPI through production ramp.
• Background in robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial automation, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing preferred.
• Experience sourcing across multiple commodities, product categories, or manufacturing environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier relationships and serve as the primary internal advocate for supplier performance, capabilities, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead direct sourcing, RFQs, supplier selection, pricing negotiations, contracts, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Source custom electromechanical assemblies, electronics, PCBAs, automation components, and engineered products.
• Identify, qualify, develop, and manage domestic and global suppliers.
• Manage suppliers through prototype, NPI, launch, and production ramp.
• Partner directly with engineering on DFM, supplier selection, manufacturing processes, and component decisions.
• Manage supplier quality, capacity, delivery, lead times, cost, and escalations.
• Develop dual-source and multi-source strategies to reduce supply chain risk.

Skills

Direct sourcing

Strategic procurement

Commodity management

Global supply management

RFQ management

Global supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Compensation: $100K–$160K, based on experience

Relocation assistance available

Position Overview

A rapidly growing robotics and advanced manufacturing company is seeking a Global Supply Manager to own strategic sourcing and supplier relationships for complex, custom-built products.

This is a highly external-facing supplier management role focused on direct sourcing, RFQs, negotiations, supplier development, and cost management. The ideal candidate has approximately 7–10 years of experience and has sourced across multiple commodities, preferably within robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, automation, or complex electromechanical manufacturing.

What You’ll Do

• Own supplier relationships and serve as the primary internal advocate for supplier performance, capabilities, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead direct sourcing, RFQs, supplier selection, pricing negotiations, contracts, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Source custom electromechanical assemblies, electronics, PCBAs, automation components, and engineered products.
• Identify, qualify, develop, and manage domestic and global suppliers.
• Manage suppliers through prototype, NPI, launch, and production ramp.
• Partner directly with engineering on DFM, supplier selection, manufacturing processes, and component decisions.
• Manage supplier quality, capacity, delivery, lead times, cost, and escalations.
• Develop dual-source and multi-source strategies to reduce supply chain risk.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of direct sourcing, strategic procurement, commodity management, or global supply management experience; 7–10 years preferred.
• Hands-on experience leading RFQs, negotiations, supplier selection, contracts, and cost negotiations.
• Experience sourcing custom or engineered products and assemblies, rather than primarily off-the-shelf parts or raw materials.
• Experience sourcing electronics, PCBAs, electromechanical assemblies, or similarly complex products is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting prototype/NPI through production ramp.
• Background in robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial automation, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing preferred.
• Experience sourcing across multiple commodities, product categories, or manufacturing environments is a plus.

Ideal Candidate: A hands-on sourcing professional who enjoys working directly with suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements, solving supplier issues, and partnering with engineering to bring complex products from development into production.