Job Title:  Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Specialist

Job Purpose

The Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Specialist is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives that ensure the timely, cost-effective, and compliant acquisition of materials, components, and services. This role builds and manages high-performing supplier relationships, negotiates commercial agreements, and collaborates cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to support new product development, manufacturing excellence, and supply chain performance. By driving supplier quality, cost optimization, and process improvements, this position contributes to the company's operational efficiency, scalability, and long-term growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans to support manufacturing, new product development, and operational objectives.
• Source, evaluate, qualify, onboard, and manage suppliers for materials, components, and services.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost, delivery, and performance expectations are met.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, payment terms, and long-term supplier agreements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Operations to define technical, quality, and commercial requirements.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by identifying and qualifying suppliers early in the product development process.
• Prepare and manage Requests for Quotation (RFQs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), supplier evaluations, and cost analyses.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Resolve supplier-related quality, delivery, and commercial issues in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and contract information within the ERP/MRP system.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, export regulations, country-of-origin requirements, and other applicable government regulations.
• Monitor procurement card purchases and transition vendors to standard procurement processes where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain procurement procedures, documentation, reports, and performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, supplier development, process improvement, and supply chain optimization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in purchasing, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Experience working with engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
Knowledge of supplier qualification and quality processes.
Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (Odoo experience is a plus).

Preferred Qualifications:

Cost reduction and supplier development experience.
Contract negotiation experience.
Understanding of manufacturing processes and materials.
Experience with Odoo ERP

Core Competencies:

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Strong cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

General Job Requirements