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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Global Sourcing Specialist

💰 $75,000 - $115,000

Supply ChainProcurementOperationsLogistics

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a dynamic and strategic Global Sourcing Specialist to join our thriving procurement team. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in identifying, evaluating, and developing a robust network of international suppliers. You will take ownership of the entire sourcing lifecycle, from market analysis and supplier qualification to contract negotiation and performance management. The ideal candidate is a master negotiator and a strategic thinker who can navigate complex global markets to secure high-quality materials and services at the most competitive cost, ensuring our company maintains its competitive edge and operational resilience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Sourcing Analyst or Coordinator
  • Procurement Specialist or Buyer
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Global Sourcing Specialist
  • Strategic Sourcing Manager
  • Category Manager / Global Category Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Contracts Manager
  • Logistics & Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, lead, and execute global sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and categories to achieve key business objectives, including cost reduction, quality improvement, and supply chain continuity.
  • Conduct comprehensive market research and data analysis to identify and pre-qualify potential new suppliers in low-cost regions and emerging markets.
  • Manage the end-to-end Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), and Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes, including analysis and evaluation of supplier bids.
  • Lead complex contract and price negotiations with global suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and long-term agreements that mitigate risk and maximize value.
  • Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key suppliers through proactive communication, performance reviews (QBRs), and supplier development programs.
  • Continuously monitor supplier performance against contracted SLAs and KPIs, implementing corrective action plans and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Product Management teams, to understand technical requirements and support new product introduction (NPI) projects.
  • Drive cost-saving initiatives through value analysis/value engineering (VAVE), should-cost modeling, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis.
  • Identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, including geopolitical instability, logistical challenges, single-source dependencies, and raw material volatility.
  • Develop and manage a diverse and resilient global supplier base to ensure business continuity and reduce dependency on any single region or supplier.
  • Analyze global spend data to identify opportunities for consolidation, cost reduction, and process improvements across various categories.
  • Ensure all sourcing activities are conducted in compliance with company policies, ethical standards, and international trade regulations.
  • Prepare and present detailed business cases, sourcing recommendations, and performance reports to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Champion the adoption of best practices in strategic sourcing, procurement technology, and supplier relationship management (SRM) across the organization.
  • Manage the full source-to-contract lifecycle, including contract drafting, review, and administration in collaboration with the legal department.
  • Travel internationally as required to visit supplier facilities, conduct audits, and build critical business relationships.
  • Stay abreast of global market trends, commodity pricing, and technological advancements that could impact the supply chain.
  • Lead cross-functional teams on strategic sourcing projects, ensuring alignment and achievement of project milestones and deliverables.
  • Develop category-specific expertise, becoming the go-to subject matter expert for your assigned commodities.
  • Implement and track supplier diversity programs to meet corporate social responsibility goals.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic decisions.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of sourcing processes, tools, and policies.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their needs into clear and actionable sourcing requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for procurement-related projects and system implementations.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within the supplier database and contract management systems.
  • Assist in mentoring and training junior members of the procurement and sourcing team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strategic Sourcing Methodologies: Deep understanding of 7-step sourcing, category management, and supplier segmentation.
  • ERP/P2P Systems: Proficiency with systems like SAP Ariba, Oracle, Coupa, or similar procurement software.
  • Advanced Data Analysis: Expertise in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, complex formulas) and experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
  • Contract Management: Strong ability to draft, review, and negotiate various types of commercial agreements (MSAs, SOWs).
  • Cost Modeling: Experience with should-cost analysis, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modeling, and clean-sheet costing.
  • RFx Management: Proven experience managing formal RFQ/RFP processes electronically.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously from inception to completion.
  • Supply Market Intelligence: Skill in researching and analyzing global market trends, commodity indexes, and supplier landscapes.

Soft Skills

  • Negotiation & Influence: World-class negotiation skills with the ability to influence outcomes with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, analyze complex data sets, and formulate actionable strategies.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: A natural ability to build consensus and work effectively with diverse teams like Engineering, Finance, and Legal.
  • Supplier Relationship Management: Proven talent for building and maintaining strong, long-term partnerships with key suppliers.
  • Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to senior leadership.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and resourceful approach to identifying and resolving complex supply chain challenges.
  • Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic global environment and can manage ambiguity effectively.
  • Results-Oriented: A strong drive to achieve and exceed targets, particularly in cost savings and supplier performance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree (MBA or MS in Supply Chain Management)
  • Professional certification such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration
  • Engineering
  • Finance or Economics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a significant focus on global sourcing.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience working with suppliers in Asia, Europe, and/or Latin America.
  • Experience in a manufacturing, technology, or consumer goods environment.
  • Demonstrated track record of delivering significant year-over-year cost reductions and process improvements.
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