Strategic Sourcing Manager at Vulcan Elements in Research Triangle Park, NC

Job description

• As the Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will develop and execute sourcing strategies for critical raw materials, manufacturing equipment, production services, and strategic suppliers supporting domestic rare-earth magnet manufacturing. You will play a key role in building resilient supply chains that enable rapid production scale-up while reducing supply risk, controlling cost, and ensuring long-term supply security for one of America's most critical manufacturing industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies supporting the production raw material requirements
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, negotiate, and manage strategic supplier relationships across domestic and international markets.
• Lead commercial negotiations for purchase agreements, long-term supply agreements, pricing structures, and supplier partnerships.
• Support supply chain resilience initiatives through supplier diversification, inventory optimization, risk mitigation, and business continuity planning.
• Monitor global commodity markets, rare earth pricing, geopolitical developments, tariffs, trade restrictions, and regulatory changes impacting supply availability and cost.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Program Management to support new product introductions, supplier qualification, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with Logistics and Trade Compliance to optimize transportation, customs strategies, Incoterms, and international supplier operations.
• Perform make-versus-buy analyses, should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership evaluations, and sourcing recommendations.
• Develop and monitor supplier performance metrics, including quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support government, defense, and commercial customer requirements related to domestic sourcing, traceability, supply chain security, and DFARS compliance.
• Drive cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic sourcing initiatives while maintaining continuity of supply.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, contracts, and sourcing documentation within ERP and procurement systems.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier development, or professional work experience
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• strong understanding of supplier risk management, contract negotiation, commodity management, and total cost of ownership principles.
• Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement, supplier relationship management (SRM), and supply planning systems.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and project management skills
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Skills

Required

• Strategic sourcing
• Procurement
• Supplier development
• Negotiation
• Supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation
• Commodity management
• Total cost of ownership analysis
• ERP systems
• MRP systems
• Procurement systems
• Supply planning systems