Sourcing Manager - Direct Materials
SUMMARY
We're seeking multiple highly technical and strategically focused Sourcing Managers to support critical direct material and engineered component categories within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. These individuals will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across categories such as steel, sheet metal, machined components, fabricated assemblies, hardware, raw materials, and other highly engineered products.
The ideal candidate will combine strategic sourcing expertise with strong technical and manufacturing knowledge. This person will serve as a key partner to engineering, manufacturing, quality, planning, and supplier teams while driving cost reduction, supplier performance, supply continuity, and production readiness. Successful candidates are highly analytical, hands-on, and comfortable operating in environments where speed, ownership, and continuous improvement are critical.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and execute category strategies that improve supplier performance, reduce risk, optimize total cost, and ensure long-term supply continuity.
- Lead supplier negotiations, commercial discussions, contract development, and cost reduction initiatives across assigned categories.
- Build and manage supplier relationships while evaluating supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, capacity constraints, quality systems, and technical competencies.
- Partner closely with engineering teams on supplier selection, make-versus-buy decisions, value engineering initiatives, new product introductions, and design-for-manufacturability opportunities.
- Support production and manufacturing operations by proactively managing supply risks, resolving material shortages, and ensuring critical components are available to support business objectives.
- Conduct supplier assessments, capability reviews, site visits, benchmarking activities, and market analysis to identify opportunities for performance improvement and strategic supplier development.
- Analyze spend, market trends, supplier performance, lead times, and cost drivers to identify sourcing opportunities and support data-driven decision-making.
- Lead cross-functional sourcing projects involving engineering, manufacturing, planning, quality, operations, and finance stakeholders.
- Manage RFQs, purchase orders, supplier issue resolution, contract compliance, and sourcing execution activities while maintaining a high level of responsiveness and accountability.
- Support supplier onboarding, qualification, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, delivery, capacity, cost, and operational excellence.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience owning sourcing, procurement, commodity management, category management, supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, production planning, or related technical responsibilities within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience sourcing direct materials, technical commodities, machined parts, fabricated components, steel, raw materials, sheet metal, hardware, or other engineered products.
- Demonstrated success developing sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and managing supplier performance.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, cost drivers, capacity planning, and production requirements.
- Experience working directly with engineering, manufacturing, planning, operations, and quality teams to support production objectives.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
- Proven track record delivering cost savings, supplier performance improvements, risk mitigation initiatives, and operational efficiencies.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven sourcing decisions.
- Experience supporting new product introductions, manufacturing scale-ups, production ramp initiatives, supplier qualifications, or supplier development activities preferred.
- Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment while balancing both strategic sourcing initiatives and day-to-day execution responsibilities.
FAQs
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