Strategic Sourcing Manager

Vulcan Elements; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements in Durham, NC seeks a seasoned sourcing professional to develop and manage material supplier relationships for critical components. You will drive negotiations, optimize total cost of ownership, and align procurement with defense and high‑end manufacturing needs.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in strategic sourcing, strong ER/MRP/SRM experience, and demonstrated ability to reduce costs while ensuring supply continuity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier development, or professional work experience.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of supplier risk management, contract negotiation, commodity management, and total cost of ownership principles.
• Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement, supplier relationship management (SRM), and supply planning systems.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies supporting the production raw material requirements.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, negotiate, and manage strategic supplier relationships across domestic and international markets.
• Lead commercial negotiations for purchase agreements, long-term supply agreements, pricing structures, and supplier partnerships.
• Support supply chain resilience initiatives through supplier diversification, inventory optimization, risk mitigation, and business continuity planning.
• Monitor global commodity markets, rare earth pricing, geopolitical developments, tariffs, trade restrictions, and regulatory changes impacting supply availability and cost.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Program Management to support new product introductions, supplier qualification, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with Logistics and Trade Compliance to optimize transportation, customs strategies, Incoterms, and international supplier operations.
• Perform make-versus-buy analyses, should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership evaluations, and sourcing recommendations.
• Develop and monitor supplier performance metrics, including quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support government, defense, and commercial customer requirements related to domestic sourcing, traceability, supply chain security, and DFARS compliance.
• Drive cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic sourcing initiatives while maintaining continuity of supply.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, contracts, and sourcing documentation within ERP and procurement systems.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM or related

Tools

ERP

MRP

SRM

Job description

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets to enable a secure and resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resilience, we serve critical industries including defense, aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing—powering a high-technology future.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies supporting the production raw material requirements
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, negotiate, and manage strategic supplier relationships across domestic and international markets.
• Lead commercial negotiations for purchase agreements, long-term supply agreements, pricing structures, and supplier partnerships.
• Support supply chain resilience initiatives through supplier diversification, inventory optimization, risk mitigation, and business continuity planning.
• Monitor global commodity markets, rare earth pricing, geopolitical developments, tariffs, trade restrictions, and regulatory changes impacting supply availability and cost.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Program Management to support new product introductions, supplier qualification, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with Logistics and Trade Compliance to optimize transportation, customs strategies, Incoterms, and international supplier operations.
• Perform make-versus-buy analyses, should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership evaluations, and sourcing recommendations.
• Develop and monitor supplier performance metrics, including quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support government, defense, and commercial customer requirements related to domestic sourcing, traceability, supply chain security, and DFARS compliance.
• Drive cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic sourcing initiatives while maintaining continuity of supply.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, contracts, and sourcing documentation within ERP and procurement systems.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier development, or professional work experience
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• strong understanding of supplier risk management, contract negotiation, commodity management, and total cost of ownership principles.
• Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement, supplier relationship management (SRM), and supply planning systems.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and project management skills

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.