Strategic Sourcing Specialist at ebm-papst Inc. – Telford, Tennessee

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist accelerates growth by building a scalable, resilient, and cost-competitive supply base capable of supporting growth at an accelerated pace. This role leads market intelligence, supplier development, cost optimization, and risk management initiatives that enable rapid product ramp-up, geographic expansion, and technology adoption—while safeguarding continuity of supply and quality.

The essential functions of this job require the person, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the following:

• Growth-Aligned Sourcing Strategy: Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned to corporate growth objectives, ensuring capacity, lead-time, and cost structures can scale to support significant increase in demand. Partner with Operations, Planning, and Product teams to forecast strategic materials for new product introductions (NPIs) and market expansions.
• Supplier Development & Global Expansion: Identify, qualify, and onboard diversified global suppliers to increase capacity, reduce risk, and capture competitive advantages in cost, quality, and technology. Lead supplier innovation programs (design-for-cost, value engineering, and co-development) to accelerate speed-to-market.
• Advanced Analytics & Digital Enablement: Use data-driven tools (e.g., spend analytics, price indexing, scenario modeling) to guide sourcing decisions, anticipate market shifts, and validate savings. Build supplier KPI dashboards (OTD, quality, lead-time, TCO, capacity, sustainability) linked to the five-year growth plan.
• RFx Excellence & TCO Optimization: Own end-to-end RFQ/RFI/RFP processes, bid list creation, clean-sheet costing, and should-cost analysis. Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvements across PPV, logistics, inventory, warranties, lifecycle costs, and energy/material efficiency.
• Operational Flow & Inventory Programs: Implement and maintain JIT/VMI/Kanban/consignment programs to compress lead times, reduce inventory, and support high-mix, high-volume growth. Collaborate with Production Planning to align replenishment strategies with demand surges and seasonality.
• Risk Management & Resilience: Proactively assess and mitigate supply risks (geopolitical, single-source, capacity, compliance, ESG) with multi-sourcing, buffer strategies, and continuity plans. Maintain Supplier Risk Heatmaps and execute corrective action plans with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Contracting & Negotiations: Lead strategic negotiations; renegotiate, renew, and discontinue supplier agreements to capture savings, capacity commitments, and service-level improvements. Establish long-term agreements with cost-indexing, capacity reservations, and performance clauses.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Facilitate cross-functional sourcing reviews; lead meetings across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Logistics to align decisions with growth targets. Advise design teams on manufacturability, material alternatives, and cost implications; read and interpret CAD drawings and specifications.
• Quality, Compliance & Sustainability: Ensure supplier adherence to quality standards, regulatory requirements, and ESG expectations (e.g., responsible sourcing, waste reduction, energy efficiency). Integrate sustainability criteria into sourcing evaluations and TCO models.
• Systems & Process Excellence: Utilize SAP and digital procurement platforms for accurate master data, contracts, and order execution. Standardize category playbooks and SOPs to drive repeatable, scalable results across geographies.
• Market Intelligence: Continuously analyze industry trends, commodities, and evolving technologies to identify opportunities and preempt supply base issues.
• Relationship Management: Foster strategic relationships with existing and prospective suppliers to strengthen collaboration, innovation, and performance.
• Travel: Travel as required for supplier audits, development, negotiations, and cross-site collaboration.
• Other Duties: Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Electronics; minimum 10 years related experience.
• Proven Commodity Management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Extensive knowledge of RFQ/RFP processes and requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Working knowledge of JIT, consignment, VMI, Kanban programs.
• Proficiency with SAP or similar ERP; familiarity with digital procurement/analytics tools.
• Ability to read CAD drawings and collaborate with Engineering on specifications.
• Experience leading cross-functional meetings and influencing stakeholders across departments.
• Extensive background in sourcing and supplier management across multiple categories: electrical and electronic components, plastics, metal parts, copper wire, and large-scale complex assemblies.

• Strategic Thinking & Category Strategy Development
• Negotiation & Contract Management
• Supplier Development & Performance Management
• Data Analytics & Scenario Modeling
• Risk Assessment & Business Continuity Planning
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Communication
• Quality & Compliance Orientation
• Results Focus with Ownership Mindset

• Follow the Employee Handbook policies and procedures and uphold organizational values.
• Contribute to building a positive work environment.
• Report for work consistently and on time.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are unsafe to ebm‑papst and its employees.
• Adhere to the Company’s Travel Policy.

ebm–papst Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.