Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Purpose

The Sr. Strategic Sourcing Specialist provides strategic leadership for assigned direct material categories, driving the development and execution of category strategies, supplier relationship management initiatives, and sourcing plans that support business objectives and operational requirements. Through collaboration with leadership, this role develops and implements category strategies that ensure supply continuity, optimizes cost, quality, and service performance, while aligning with best-practice sourcing methodologies, company policies, and regulatory requirements. The role is responsible for establishing and executing multi-year category roadmaps, identifying market opportunities, optimizing sourcing strategies, managing supplier performance, and mitigating supply chain risks. The successful candidate will build strong partnerships with key internal stakeholders and strategic suppliers while maintaining end-to-end accountability for achieving cost savings, operational efficiencies, value creation, and business results.

As a key member of the Direct Sourcing organization, the Sr. Strategic Sourcing Specialist contributes to the ongoing transformation and success of the procurement function by driving strategic initiatives, fostering supplier innovation, and promoting a culture of accountability, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category and supplier strategies that align with long-term business objectives and drive sustainable value.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance, to identify and implement cost optimization initiatives utilizing value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE) methodologies.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop diverse, competitive, and high-performing sources of supply across global markets.
• Lead supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and contract development to achieve optimal outcomes across cost, quality, delivery, service, innovation, and working capital objectives.
• Monitor market conditions, industry trends, commodity indices, and supply chain risks to support proactive, data-driven business decisions.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and supplier performance, driving continuous improvement initiatives, risk mitigation plans, and long-term partnership development.
• Leverage spend analytics, market intelligence, and key performance metrics to identify opportunities, improve visibility, and measure sourcing effectiveness.
• Support new product development (NPD) and product lifecycle initiatives through early supplier engagement and collaboration with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain stakeholders.
• Lead strategic sourcing events, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, competitive bidding processes, and e-auctions, where appropriate.
• Drive initiatives that enhance supply chain resilience, supplier diversification, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, sourcing standards, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven success developing and executing category strategies, supplier management programs, cost reduction initiatives, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, supplier selection and development, contract management, category management, and risk mitigation.
• Experience managing direct material categories and suppliers, utilizing market intelligence, spend analytics, and cost analysis tools to drive business decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships and collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain functions.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and analytics tools such as: SAP, Oracle, Ariba, or Power BI.
• Strong analytical, project management, communication, and stakeholder influence skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%, including overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA and/or professional certifications (CPSM, CPM, CSCP)
• Working knowledge of value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE), total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost modeling, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting new product introductions (NPI), supplier performance management, and global sourcing initiatives.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, raw materials, metals, fabricated components, or industrial commodities