Sourcing Manager

Location: Chicago, IL
Schedule: Full-time, onsite Monday through Friday

The Opportunity

I'm recruiting for two Sourcing Manager openings with a well-established industrial manufacturer in Chicago. These positions will join a newly formed, highly collaborative sourcing team focused on reducing supplier risk and supporting continued manufacturing growth.

This is a project-based, individual-contributor role focused on dual sourcing, supplier qualification, supplier transitions, capacity constraints, and supply continuity. The Sourcing Manager will work closely with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, Project Management, and external suppliers to validate components and establish a more resilient supply base.

The initial focus will be on qualifying alternate suppliers for approximately 200 part numbers currently exposed to single-source risk. Longer term, the role will support make-vs.-buy decisions and outsourcing initiatives when internal manufacturing capacity cannot support demand.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute dual-sourcing and alternate-supplier strategies to reduce single-source risk.
• Identify, evaluate, and commercially qualify new suppliers.
• Lead supplier transitions, including moving components and production from existing suppliers to qualified alternate sources.
• Partner with Engineering and Supplier Quality throughout PPAP, supplier qualification, and component-validation activities.
• Manage sourcing projects involving machined parts, fabricated components, stampings, mechanical assemblies, transformers, fiberglass, and other engineered components.
• Address supplier capacity, pricing, quality, delivery, and supply-continuity challenges.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, cost analyses, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract discussions.
• Review supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, technical specifications, and capacity requirements.
• Coordinate technical and commercial supplier reviews with internal stakeholders.
• Support make-vs.-buy analyses and the outsourcing of internally manufactured components when additional capacity is required.
• Manage multiple supplier-transition and sourcing projects simultaneously.
• Build strong working relationships across Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and Project Management.
• Track supplier-qualification milestones and ensure sourcing projects remain on schedule.
• Support supplier performance improvement and escalation activities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related function.
• Direct-material sourcing experience within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing engineered or manufactured components, such as machined parts, fabricated components, stampings, castings, forgings, mechanical assemblies, transformers, fiberglass, or electromechanical components.
• Working knowledge of PPAP, APQP, supplier qualification, component validation, first article approval, or similar production-part approval processes.
• Experience collaborating with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Operations.
• Strong strategic sourcing and commercial skills, including RFQs, supplier selection, negotiations, cost analysis, and supplier relationship management.
• Ability to understand and communicate technical requirements, engineering specifications, manufacturing processes, and supplier capabilities.
• Strong project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple sourcing and supplier-transition initiatives simultaneously.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to work onsite in Chicago five days per week.

Preferred Experience

• Experience qualifying secondary or alternate suppliers.
• Experience moving parts, tooling, or production from one supplier to another.
• Background in mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or electrical engineering.
• Previous experience in manufacturing engineering, operations, quality, or supplier development.
• Experience resolving supplier capacity constraints or supply-continuity risks.
• Experience with make-vs.-buy analysis, outsourcing, insourcing, or manufacturing transfers.
• Experience working with technical drawings, component specifications, tolerances, and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience within industrial equipment, heavy machinery, automotive, electrical equipment, power systems, commercial vehicles, engineered products, or another complex manufacturing environment.
• Electronics sourcing experience is helpful but not required. Candidates with experience sourcing mechanical, machined, fabricated, stamped, or other engineered components are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• High-impact project ownership: Lead critical dual-sourcing, supplier-transition, capacity, and risk-reduction initiatives.
• Cross-functional exposure: Work alongside a dedicated team of sourcing professionals, engineers, supplier quality specialists, and project management resources.
• Opportunity to build something new: Join a newly formed team and help shape the processes used to strengthen and expand the supplier network.
• Strong organizational visibility: Support highly visible sourcing initiatives tied directly to manufacturing growth and supply continuity.
• Broad category exposure: Work across a variety of engineered components instead of being limited to one narrow commodity.
• Long-term project scope: Progress from immediate supplier-risk and dual-sourcing projects into broader make-vs.-buy and outsourcing initiatives.

Interested?

I'm recruiting for these Sourcing Manager opportunities on behalf of a well-established industrial manufacturer in Chicago.

If you have experience in direct-material sourcing, supplier qualification, dual sourcing, or supplier transitions, I'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you and share more details about the position.

Please apply or message me directly to learn more.