Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Manufacturing

Industrial Electric Manufacturing; Franklin (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

IEM is seeking a Sourcing Specialist at our Franklin, TN location to support procurement, supplier management, and cost-reduction initiatives. You will identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate terms, and maintain supplier data to ensure on-time delivery and quality for manufacturing needs.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with ERP/MRP systems, and the ability to collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, purchasing, or supplier management in manufacturing.
• Experience supporting supplier communication, sourcing activities, pricing analysis, supplier performance, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Understanding of manufacturing supply chains, supplier lead times, material planning, cost drivers, and production support.
• Ability to support practical sourcing decisions while partnering with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving, follow-up, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience in electrical equipment, power distribution, switchgear, industrial manufacturing, or engineered-to-order manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with supplier development, localization, Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and material flow concepts preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and supplier performance reporting tools.
• Career ambition with growth and increasing responsibility in a fast-paced, high-growth organization.

Responsibilities

• Support sourcing activities that align with cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and business continuity goals.
• Assist with identifying, evaluating, qualifying, and onboarding suppliers that meet manufacturing and operational needs.
• Support supplier negotiations related to pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum order quantities, stocking agreements, blanket orders, and supply commitments.
• Maintain supplier relationships through regular communication, follow-up, and issue resolution.
• Assist with supplier performance tracking, scorecards, corrective actions, and supplier development activities.
• Support sourcing, cost reduction, supplier consolidation, dual sourcing, localization, and supply risk mitigation initiatives.
• Partner with Procurement, Planning, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Finance to support production needs and supplier-related actions.
• Analyze supplier pricing, lead times, capacity, market trends, demand signals, and supply risks to support sourcing recommendations.
• Help resolve supplier issues related to delivery delays, defects, nonconformance, pricing discrepancies, capacity constraints, and recurring performance concerns.
• Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, contract, and sourcing data in applicable systems.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to supplier performance, material flow, cost reduction, and supply chain reliability.
• The candidate will be expected to perform additional duties as assigned to support the team and organization.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

IEM is seeking a Sourcing Specialist at our Franklin, TN location to support procurement, supplier management, and cost-reduction initiatives. You will identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate terms, and maintain supplier data to ensure on-time delivery and quality for manufacturing needs.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with ERP/MRP systems, and the ability to collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance.