Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Employee Relations Associates, Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

401(k)

Job summary

TalentBridge partners with a well-established manufacturer to recruit a Strategic Sourcing Specialist for its Schaumburg, IL team. You will manage purchasing for production materials, develop supplier relationships, and drive cost-saving initiatives in a manufacturing setting.

The role emphasizes strategic sourcing, supplier development, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to optimize procurement performance and supplier quality.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of procurement or purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing production materials, components, or machined parts.
• Exposure to strategic sourcing, supplier development, cost reduction, or procurement strategy.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities for new and existing production materials.
• Review material requirements and place purchase orders in alignment with production and project schedules.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with suppliers.
• Identify, assess, and develop suppliers capable of meeting quality, cost, delivery, and technical requirements.
• Monitor material pricing and identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
• Support cost-reduction projects and track progress against established objectives.
• Develop working knowledge of assigned components, commodities, and related manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Planning, and Operations to address material, supplier, and production issues.

Skills

Procurement in manufacturing

Supplier negotiation

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Job description

About the Opportunity

TalentBridge is partnering with a well-established manufacturer of custom-engineered solutions and components. The company is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join its Schaumburg, IL team. This position will support the procurement of production materials while helping strengthen the company’s supplier network, improve purchasing performance, and identify opportunities for cost savings. The role is suited for a procurement professional who understands manufacturing environments and is interested in combining day-to-day purchasing with broader sourcing and supplier-development responsibilities.

What You’ll Do

• Manage purchasing activities for new and existing production materials.
• Review material requirements and place purchase orders in alignment with production and project schedules.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with suppliers.
• Identify, assess, and develop suppliers capable of meeting quality, cost, delivery, and technical requirements.
• Monitor material pricing and identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
• Support cost-reduction projects and track progress against established objectives.
• Develop working knowledge of assigned components, commodities, and related manufacturing processes.
• Review supplier capabilities and understand how their operations align with the company’s production needs.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Planning, and Operations to address material, supplier, and production issues.
• Monitor supplier delivery and quality performance and contribute to supplier performance reviews.
• Support initiatives involving inventory turns, on-time delivery, supplier quality, and overall procurement efficiency.
• Assist with commercial negotiations involving pricing, lead times, payment terms, and other purchasing conditions.
• Help develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned materials and components.
• Visit supplier facilities as needed to support supplier development, quality, production, or sourcing initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• 5–7 years of procurement or purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing production materials, components, or machined parts.
• Exposure to strategic sourcing, supplier development, cost reduction, or procurement strategy.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to evaluate information and make practical business decisions.
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and a sense of urgency.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and data analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.

Preferred Experience

• Experience sourcing CNC-machined or Swiss-machined components.
• Approximately 2–4 years of experience working with CNC or Swiss machining suppliers.
• Familiarity with component manufacturing processes.
• Mechanical engineering coursework, experience, or technical manufacturing knowledge.
• Experience with SAP or another ERP system.
• SCM or CPIM certification.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

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