Specialist, Procurement in Ashland, Massachusetts at Kidde-Fenwal LLC

Procurement Specialist

About KiddeFenwal

KiddeFenwal is a global leader in industrial and commercial fire suppression systems and safety controls. Through our trusted brands, Kidde Fire Systems, Kidde Fire Protection, and Fenwal Controls, we protect lives, property, and critical assets worldwide. Headquartered in Ashland, Massachusetts, with operations across the United States, United Kingdom, and India, we are committed to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering customer-focused solutions.

Position Summary

The Procurement Specialist is a seasoned procurement professional responsible for purchase order creation, including cost control, expediting, and management of purchase order-related escalations across the organization. The Procurement Specialist works independently with limited supervision and collaborates with other Supply Chain team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities for assigned commodities, suppliers, products, and services.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers.
• Analyze supplier quotations, cost structures, financial reports, and market trends to ensure competitive pricing and overall value.
• Maintain supplier relationships and monitor supplier performance metrics including quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost savings.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, finance, planning, and logistics teams to support business requirements.
• Identify supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
• Drive inventory optimization, supplier performance improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, procedures, and ethical sourcing standards.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, contracts, supplier documentation, and sourcing data.
• Participate in and lead continuous improvement initiatives related to procurement and supply chain processes.

Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Finance, or related field (preferred)

Experience

• 3–5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and leading commercial negotiations and sourcing initiatives.
• Fire suppression, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical manufacturing or related industry experience (preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier management principles.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Ability to analyze pricing models, financial data, and supplier performance metrics.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex sourcing projects independently.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (JDE preferred) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of supplier quality systems, supply chain risk management, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Competencies

• Customer Focused
• Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management
• Negotiation and Contract Management
• Cost Management and Cost Reduction
• Supply Chain Risk Management
• Project Leadership
• Analytical Thinking and Decision Making
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Partnership
• Continuous Improvement
• Results Orientation

Working Conditions

• Office and manufacturing environment.
• Occasional travel to supplier or company locations may be required.