Job Summary:The Sr Technical Sourcing Specialist is responsible for qualifying, developing, and selecting suppliers and contract manufacturers with a strong emphasis on raw materials, fabricated components, machined parts, and vertically integrated manufacturing environments. This role requires the ability to interpret technical drawings, material specifications, bills of material, manufacturing processes, and quality requirements to align supplier capabilities with engineering and operational needs. The Sr Technical Sourcing Specialist will lead sourcing strategy for technically complex commodities, drive supplier qualification and development, and form partnerships and
alliances with suppliers and manufacturers to reduce total cost, improve quality, shorten lead-times, and mitigate supply risk on annual multi-million-dollar spend.
This role requires a strategic mindset, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to work independently. The ideal candidate brings a positive attitude, proactively manages complex tasks, pays close attention to detail, collaborates effectively with peers and management, and exercises sound judgment.
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills):- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or related field.
- 6+ years in a Sourcing, Purchasing, or Supply Chain role(s) required.
- Experience working within a vertically integrated manufacturing organization.
- Direct experience sourcing raw materials.
- Demonstrated experience sourcing technical commodities such as sheet metal, structural steel, copper, fabricated assemblies, machined components, electrical/mechanical subassemblies, or other engineered materials within a complex manufacturing environment.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of material, technical specifications, tolerances, and manufacturing requirements to support supplier qualification, quoting, and sourcing decisions.
- Working knowledge of fabrication, machining, welding, finishing, and other manufacturing processes used to produce sourced components and assemblies.
- Experience evaluating supplier technical capability, production capacity, quality systems, process controls, and manufacturability to support supplier selection, qualification, development, and long-term sourcing strategy.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated capability in total cost ownership and analysis, negotiation strategy, supplier risk, lead-time drivers, commodity market dynamics, and evaluation of commercial tradeoffs that impact sourcing decisions and long-range supply strategy.
- Advanced Excel skills required, including the ability to build and analyze cost models, pricing comparisons, supplier performance metrics, and sourcing scenario analyses.
- Significant hands-on experience with ERP systems and supply chain tools used to manage sourcing, purchasing, inventory, supplier performance, and demand planning; SAP or IFS experience strongly preferred.
- Renewable energy, power systems, switchgear, data center infrastructure, power plant, and/or EPC experience strongly preferred, particularly in environments requiring technical sourcing rigor and cross-functional execution.
- Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams, lead supplier discussions, and present sourcing recommendations to senior leadership.
- Highly proficient in KPI's for measuring, analyzing, and communicating supplier performance data, including quality, delivery, responsiveness, capacity, and continuous improvement trends to provide clear sourcing recommendations and for leadership review.
- Strong understanding of supply strategies and replenishment models, including Kanban, VMI, safety stock, blanket orders, and just-in-time delivery concepts used to balance inventory, lead-time, and continuity of supply.
- Highly organized, self-directed, and results-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple sourcing priorities, complex analyses, and supplier initiatives with minimal oversight.
- Ability to interact effectively with suppliers, manufacturing personnel, engineering teams, and a multi-layered workforce across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to develop and apply technical, statistical, market, and fundamental assessments for each commodity to support sourcing strategy, supplier selection, and long-range supply planning.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:- Lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies for raw materials, fabricated components, machined parts, and other technical commodities. Partner with stakeholders to define commodity/category strategies based on drawings, specifications, bills of material, approved manufacturers, manufacturing requirements, demand profiles, and delivery expectations.
- Lead supplier qualification and development programs that support fabrication and manufacturing processes while collaborating closely with engineering, quality, operations, and manufacturing leaders to align sourcing decisions with product requirements, business priorities, and evolving market conditions to align supplier strategy.
- Ensure sourcing activities are conducted in the fairest, most transparent way for potential suppliers to be given every opportunity to present their strengths and capabilities.
- Lead commercial negotiations by establishing Master Supply Agreements to achieve the lowest total cost for each commodity/category while balancing technical requirements, quality expectations, manufacturing feasibility, inventory strategy, continuity of supply, and schedule commitments.
- Travel to and assess supplier sites to support audits, process reviews, and
capability assessments, including evaluation of fabrication, machining, welding, finishing, assembly, capacity planning, and quality control practices. - Implement purchase contracts that comply with company and government regulations.
- Assist Schedulers, Master Schedulers and others regarding pricing, vendor performance and delivery options.
- Review engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and change
requirements with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure suppliers can meet technical, quality, and delivery expectations. - Lead collaboration for material cost-out initiatives tied to material selection, fabrication, machining, and process optimization within a vertically integrated manufacturing environment.
- Establish and monitor metrics/KPIs and report to leadership on inventory dollars on hand versus on order, incoming PO status, PPV, meet-comp wins/losses, supplier on-time delivery, quality performance, inbound freight analysis, and cost out results.
- Develop, implement, and continuously refine supplier risk mitigation strategies, including alternate sourcing, capacity contingency planning, lead-time risk assessment, and supply continuity actions for critical commodities.
- Partner closely with Project and Business Development teams to forecast new business demand, develop cost projections, assess sourcing feasibility, and define supply strategies that support growth, margin objectives, and execution readiness.
- Prepare and issue RFQs/RFPs to suppliers, receive and normalize quotations, and perform price, scope, and technical comparison analyses to support sourcing recommendations and negotiation strategy.
- Work closely with and lead meetings regularly with purchasing team to stay up to date on latest developments, learn and adapt best strategies to assist purchasing teams.
- Manage value and mitigate risk for commodities (i.e. copper, gold, oil and off-the shelf stock items) while running an effective sourcing campaign. Use a systematic and analytical approach to measure the usage cycle for any specific group of items (EAU). Initial Benchmarks: Reduce stock outs, increase blanket orders with scheduled JIT deliveries at lower negotiated prices.
- Review how the company buys and the patterns of purchasing commodities, then ascertain the market forces that apply to the commodity.
- Support supplier issue resolution related to quality, delivery, and technical nonconformance by enforcing corrective actions, driving closure, and monitoring effectiveness of improvement actions.
- Other duties as assigned by leadership.
Working Conditions:- This position is hybrid.
- Frequent travel may be required for training or meetings.
- Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate different time zones
(Central/Eastern/Mountain/Pacific), based on supplier locations. - Be flexible for after-hours tasks, as needed.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time, based on business needs.
