Sourcing Lead
Position Overview
Our client, a leading manufacturer of engineered-to-order hydraulic systems and components, is seeking an experienced Sourcing Lead to drive strategic supplier partnerships and sourcing initiatives across machined and fabricated components.
This role will work closely with Engineering, Operations, and Quality to ensure suppliers can support complex hydraulic assemblies, custom machining, and engineered solutions while meeting cost, quality, and delivery expectations.
The Sourcing Lead will play a critical role in supplier development, PPAP execution, and Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to improve cost, manufacturability, and supply chain performance.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
* Lead sourcing activities for machined components, hydraulic manifolds, custom fabricated parts, and engineered assemblies.
* Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of supporting engineered-to-order hydraulic products.
* Manage RFQs, supplier negotiations, and long-term agreements to achieve cost savings and supply continuity.
* Build strategic relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
Engineering Collaboration
* Partner with Design and Manufacturing Engineering to review drawings and specifications to ensure manufacturability and optimal sourcing strategies.
* Provide supplier feedback during design reviews to improve cost, lead times, and manufacturability.
* Support new product introduction (NPI) programs and prototype sourcing.
Supplier Development & Quality
* Lead PPAP submissions and approvals with suppliers for new components and engineering changes.
* Collaborate with Quality to resolve supplier quality issues and implement corrective actions.
* Develop supplier scorecards and performance metrics (quality, delivery, cost).
Cost Reduction & Value Engineering
* Drive VA/VE initiatives with suppliers and internal engineering teams to improve product cost, functionality, and manufacturability.
* Identify opportunities for design simplification, material substitution, and process improvements.
* Support cost modeling and should-cost analysis for machined and fabricated components.
Cross-Functional Leadership
* Act as the primary sourcing liaison between Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams.
* Support production planning and operations to ensure supplier capacity aligns with demand.
* Mentor and guide buyers or junior sourcing professionals as needed.
Qualifications
Required
* Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
* 5–10+ years of sourcing or procurement experience in manufacturing or engineered products environments.
* Strong experience sourcing machined components, castings, forgings, or fabricated metal parts.
* Experience leading PPAP processes and supplier qualification.
* Proven experience driving VA/VE cost reduction initiatives.
* Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
* Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
Preferred
* Experience in hydraulics, fluid power, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing.
* Familiarity with engineered-to-order (ETO) or configure-to-order environments.
* Knowledge of ISO quality systems and supplier quality processes.
* ERP system experience (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, etc.).
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