Strategic Sourcing Specialist — Direct Materials

Lincoln Electric; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 82,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln Electric, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, seeks a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct material categories. You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain to drive cost savings, supplier performance, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Responsibilities include managing sourcing events (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs), supplier qualification, negotiations, and risk mitigation, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or a related field.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain.
• Proven success developing and executing category strategies, supplier management programs, cost reduction initiatives, and commercial negotiations.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and analytics tools including SAP, Oracle, Ariba, and Power BI.
• Strong analytical, project management, communication, and stakeholder-influence skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category and supplier strategies aligned with long-term objectives and drive value.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to ensure a competitive supply base.
• Support supplier selection, negotiations, and contract administration to meet cost, quality, delivery, and service goals.
• Monitor market conditions, trends, and supplier developments to support sourcing decisions.
• Maintain supplier relationships and support performance management with KPI tracking.
• Utilize spend data and market research to identify sourcing opportunities and support category initiatives.
• Assist with new product development and lifecycle activities by coordinating supplier engagement.
• Coordinate sourcing events (RFIs/RFPs/RFQs) under guidance of sourcing leadership.
• Support initiatives on supply continuity, supplier diversification, sustainability, and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, contracts, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare reports and analyses to support sourcing decisions and planning.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and special assignments.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Negotiation

Data analysis

ERP systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or a related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Ariba

Power BI

Job description

Lincoln Electric, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, seeks a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct material categories. You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain to drive cost savings, supplier performance, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Responsibilities include managing sourcing events (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs), supplier qualification, negotiations, and risk mitigation, while ensuring