Strategic Sourcing Specialist at TalentBridge in Schaumberg, IL

Job description

• TalentBridge is partnering with a well-established manufacturer of custom-engineered solutions and components. The company is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join its Schaumburg, IL team.
• This position will support the procurement of production materials while helping strengthen the company’s supplier network, improve purchasing performance, and identify opportunities for cost savings. The role is suited for a procurement professional who understands manufacturing environments and is interested in combining day-to-day purchasing with broader sourcing and supplier-development responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities for new and existing production materials.
• Review material requirements and place purchase orders in alignment with production and project schedules.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with suppliers.
• Identify, assess, and develop suppliers capable of meeting quality, cost, delivery, and technical requirements.
• Monitor material pricing and identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
• Support cost-reduction projects and track progress against established objectives.
• Develop working knowledge of assigned components, commodities, and related manufacturing processes.
• Review supplier capabilities and understand how their operations align with the company’s production needs.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Planning, and Operations to address material, supplier, and production issues.
• Monitor supplier delivery and quality performance and contribute to supplier performance reviews.
• Support initiatives involving inventory turns, on-time delivery, supplier quality, and overall procurement efficiency.
• Assist with commercial negotiations involving pricing, lead times, payment terms, and other purchasing conditions.
• Help develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned materials and components.
• Visit supplier facilities as needed to support supplier development, quality, production, or sourcing initiatives.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of procurement or purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing production materials, components, or machined parts.
• Exposure to strategic sourcing, supplier development, cost reduction, or procurement strategy.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to evaluate information and make practical business decisions.
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and a sense of urgency.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and data analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Experience sourcing CNC-machined or Swiss-machined components.
• Approximately 2–4 years of experience working with CNC or Swiss machining suppliers.
• Familiarity with component manufacturing processes.
• Mechanical engineering coursework, experience, or technical manufacturing knowledge.
• Experience with SAP or another ERP system.
• SCM or CPIM certification.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Skills

Required

• Supplier negotiation
• Relationship management
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Organizational skills
• Follow-through
• Sense of urgency
• Written and verbal communication

Preferred

• Mechanical engineering knowledge
• SAP or another ERP system
• SCM or CPIM certification