Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Location: Fort Mill, SC (Greater Charlotte Area)
Schedule: Hybrid (3 days onsite / 2 days remote)

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a highly motivated Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join our growing procurement team. This role is focused on developing sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and driving cost optimization initiatives across a broad range of industrial and mechanical categories. This is not a transactional purchasing role. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategic procurement, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, and category management within a manufacturing, industrial, or engineering-driven environment.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will partner closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain leadership to identify sourcing opportunities, reduce risk, improve supplier performance, and deliver measurable value to the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term supply chain goals.
• Lead competitive bidding events, RFPs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Identify and implement cost savings, cost avoidance, and value engineering opportunities across strategic spend categories.
• Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships while managing supplier performance, quality, delivery, and service levels.
• Conduct market and spend analysis to identify sourcing opportunities, supplier consolidation initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, lead times, warranty provisions, and service agreements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance, and Supply Chain to support business needs.
• Monitor supply market trends, commodity fluctuations, and supplier capabilities to proactively manage supply risks.
• Develop sourcing dashboards, KPIs, and reporting tools to track savings, supplier performance, and procurement effectiveness.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving procurement processes and operational efficiencies.
• Maintain compliance with company procurement policies, contractual requirements, and supplier governance standards.

Preferred Category Experience

Candidates with sourcing experience in industrial and mechanical components are highly preferred, including:

• Valves
• Piping and fittings
• Compressors
• HVAC equipment and components
• Filters and filtration systems
• Industrial spare parts
• Metals and fabricated components
• MRO materials
• Mechanical equipment and assemblies
• Pumps, motors, bearings, and related industrial products

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• 4+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience.
• Proven success negotiating contracts and supplier agreements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and driving measurable business results.
• Ability to analyze spend data and develop sourcing strategies based on market intelligence.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Advanced experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.

Preferred

• Experience sourcing industrial, mechanical, manufacturing, or MRO-related categories.
• Exposure to supplier negotiations involving valves, piping, compressors, metals, spare parts, HVAC equipment, or similar categories.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certifications.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial equipment, energy, engineering, or distribution environments.
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement exposure.