Sourcing Director

Role Summary

The Director, Strategic Sourcing is responsible for leading global sourcing strategy and execution for welding components and electronics. The role manages approximately $300M in annual spend and leads a global organization of ~15 sourcing professionals across multiple regions.

This position plays a critical leadership role within Direct Sourcing by translating external market dynamics, supplier capacity signals, and cost drivers into actionable sourcing strategies that improve cost, supply continuity, and scalability. A key element of the role is to systematically reduce supply risk, including the elimination of single‑ and sole‑sourced parts, and to evaluate make‑vs‑buy and outsourcing opportunities for components and PCBA assemblies currently manufactured internally.

Key Responsibilities

1) Global Category Strategy & Commercial Leadership

• Own and execute global category strategies for welding components (machined parts, castings, fabricated assemblies, torch/feeder components) and electronics (PCBA/EMS, power electronics, controls, sensors, harnesses, connectors, displays).
• Develop multi‑year sourcing roadmaps aligned with product, engineering, and manufacturing strategies, addressing cost productivity, capacity scalability, localization, and risk reduction.
• Lead supplier selection, competitive sourcing events, negotiation strategies, and long‑term agreements (LTAs), ensuring total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.
• Drive should‑cost modeling and VA/VE in partnership with Engineering to influence design decisions and reduce material and conversion costs.

2) Make‑vs‑Buy, Outsourcing & Footprint Optimization

• Lead structured make‑vs‑buy and outsourcing evaluations for components and PCBA assemblies currently manufactured internally, in close partnership with Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Quality.
• Assess internal vs. external manufacturing options based on total cost, capacity, scalability, capital requirements, quality, lead time, and risk.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to responsibly transition work externally where justified, ensuring supplier readiness, quality validation, and continuity of supply.
• Support longer‑term manufacturing footprint and capacity decisions through fact‑based sourcing and market intelligence inputs.

Key Responsibilities (Continued)

3) Supplier Portfolio, Risk & Single‑Source Reduction

• Own the reduction of single‑ and sole‑sourced parts, with clear targets and phased execution plans across welding components and electronics.
• Segment the global supply base and establish dual‑ or multi‑sourcing strategies for high‑risk or high‑impact components.
• Lead supplier commercial and performance governance, including pricing structures, indexation, cost transparency, and productivity commitments.
• Partner with Quality and Operations to improve supplier performance across delivery, lead time stability, PPM, corrective action responsiveness, and NPI readiness.
• Ensure contingency plans are in place for constrained suppliers, geographies, or technologies, particularly within electronics and capacity‑limited processes.

5) Enterprise Sourcing Programs & Special Projects

• Lead high‑impact, cross‑functional sourcing initiatives, including:
• Accelerated cost‑out and productivity programs
• Supplier consolidation and footprint optimization
• Tariff and trade mitigation efforts
• Disruption recovery and constrained‑supply response
• Drive disciplined program governance with measurable outcomes, executive visibility, and sustained results.

Key Responsibilities (Continued)

6) Leadership, Talent & Global Capability Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a global team of ~15 sourcing professionals, building both technical depth and leadership capability across regions.
• Establish clear role expectations, development plans, and succession paths to ensure long‑term organizational capability.
• Actively assess and close skill gaps in areas such as:
  • • Electronics and EMS sourcing
    • Should‑cost and cost modeling
    • Negotiation and commercial strategy
    • Program and change leadership
• Foster a consistent global operating model, including category reviews, savings governance, supplier QBRs, and escalation forums.
• Build a high‑performance, collaborative culture that values accountability, data‑driven decision‑making, and cross‑regional teamwork.

Scope & Impact

• Annual spend responsibility: Approximately $300M
• Global team: ~15 sourcing professionals
• Significant influence on product cost, supply continuity, manufacturing scalability, and enterprise risk exposure
• Acts as a key leadership extension of the Sr. Director of Direct Sourcing

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost productivity and validated savings
• Reduction in single‑ and sole‑sourced parts (count and spend)
• Contract coverage and sourcing compliance
• Supplier performance (OTIF, lead time stability, quality metrics)
• Effectiveness and timeliness of market intelligence insights
• Progress and outcomes of make‑vs‑buy and outsourcing initiatives
• Talent development, capability growth, and succession readiness

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related discipline (MBA or Master’s preferred).
• 8+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing or category management within industrial or engineered products environments.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional, data‑driven decisions impacting manufacturing strategy and supply risk.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PCBA/EMS, power electronics, controls, and industrial electronics supply chains.
• Professional certifications (CPSM, CSCP, CIPS, Six Sigma).
• Experience leading sourcing strategy during periods of volatility or structural change.
• Experience sourcing both mechanical/welding components and electronics in global supply markets.