Overview

The Strategic Sourcing Manager establishes the supply chain for new products and bridges the gap between Product Development and Operations during product development and launch. He or she partners with global suppliers and manufacturers to deliver quality products on time with optimal standard costs. With the willingness to travel 25%-50%. We are looking for someone that can interpret technical information and find new sources. Mechanical, structural, or industrial engineering degrees or comparable are preferred.

Key Results

• We have strong and strategic relationships with our global design and manufacturing partners that lead to innovative solutions.
• We leverage new technologies, processes, and suppliers to value engineer products and drive down standard costs.
• A robust and scalable supply chain is established for each new product prior to launch.
• Our new products are brought to market on time with expected performance, quality, and cost.
• Partner with new and existing vendors to foster creativity and innovation in product design to improve products and reduce costs.
• Implement a strategic sourcing process to identify, select, and qualify supplier partners.
• Negotiate standard costs of new products that allow products to be profitable with market competitive pricing.
• Support Quality and Product Development to implement quality assurance plans for all new products prior to launch.
• Manage supply chain for new products from production through delivery to customers, including packaging, kitting, and shipping.
• Quote and deliver tooling, first articles, samples, and pre-launch inventory.
• Establish a sourcing schedule to support effective product launches and deliver products as planned.
• Act as the manufacturing liaison between Product Development and Operations for technical clarity of new products.

Areas of Responsibility

• Identifies and executes sourcing initiatives that leverage purchasing scale and enhance profitability and global competitiveness.
• Own, manage and execute all stages of RFP activities for new products including supplier identification, RFP development, stakeholder communications, project management, analysis, recommendation, and implementation support.
• Lead the Commercialization Team.
• Manages, nurtures, and owns new supplier relationships; designs and implements supplier improvement initiatives and resolves product quality issues.

Critical Factors for Success

• Proficient in managing and understanding cross-cultural business practices
• Experience performing in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, and time-sensitive environment
• Ability to lead and influence change in the face of complexity and ambiguity
• Proficient at thinking and acting strategically, championing change, and generating innovative solutions
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to manage and resolve highly complex business issues
• Strong project management, negotiations, and communication skills

Core Competencies

• Ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously
• Possess design skills and a high degree of creativity
• Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills
• Demonstrate ideation/conceptual thinking
• Strong communication skills
• Strong problem-solving ability
• Highly motivated, self-starter
• Opportunistic with a positive attitude
• Keen sense of urgency