Malibu TN SR STRATEGIC SOURCING SPECIALIST

Summary:

The Sr. Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for the technical qualification and commercial management of Malibu Boats’ supply base. This role requires a unique blend of engineering literacy and procurement expertise to ensure that every component—from raw materials to finished assemblies—meets our rigorous standards for design, performance, and cost.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technical Sourcing: Evaluate supplier capabilities against Engineering specifications; drive part and process qualification in tandem with Supplier Quality.
• Project Management: Manage the "critical path" for new parts, including lead times, tooling, and ECN (Engineering Change Notice) coordination across multiple divisions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel modeling to analyze bid parity, freight impacts, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Inventory Strategy: Minimize residual inventory by managing obsolescence targets and coordinating smooth transitions during engineering changes

Key Responsibilities & Impact

Strategic Sourcing & Market Intelligence

• Global Sourcing: Research, identify, and qualify a world-class supplier base for technical parts and materials, ensuring alignment with Malibu’s innovation, quality standards and the Global Strategic Sourcing Group’s initiatives.
• RFx Leadership: Orchestrate the end-to-end Request for Information (RFI), Quotation (RFQ), and Proposal (RFP) process, utilizing advanced analysis to evaluate performance, risk, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Source Selection: Present data-driven source selection recommendations to Engineering and Purchasing leadership, facilitating informed decision-making.

Lifecycle & Project Management

• NPI Integration: Lead procurement activities for New Product Introductions (NPI), managing everything from prototyping and tooling (NRE) through to full-scale production.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to develop project timelines and scopes of work that support vertical integration and product launches.
• Engineering Change Management: Seamlessly coordinate Engineering Change Notices (ECN) across boat, trailer, and engine divisions to ensure supply continuity.
• Obsolescence Strategy: Architect phase-out targets for legacy parts to minimize residual inventory while supporting the buying team during model year transitions.

Supplier Partnership & Negotiation

• Contractual Excellence: Participate with the Global Strategic Sourcing Group to establish contracts that secure favorable terms, pricing, and risk mitigation.
• Supplier Onboarding: Manage the end-to-end onboarding and qualification of new vendors, including site visits and process audits in coordination with Supplier Quality.
• Performance Optimization: Execute sourcing initiatives focused on supplier base rationalization, performance improvement, and sustained cost-savings.

Operational Execution

• Transactional Management: Execute purchase orders for samples, production startup, and tooling; facilitate the smooth hand-off of new suppliers to the tactical buying team.

Issue Resolution: Act as the primary escalation point between suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve complex supply or communication bottlenecks.

Qualifications

• Technical Literacy: Deep understanding of ERP/MRP logic, inventory control principles, and supply chain mathematics (e.g., TCO, dimensional weight, and freight modeling).
• Analytical Precision: Ability to interpret complex business data and technical documents to drive strategic sourcing decisions.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and a high aptitude for learning emerging supply chain technologies.
• Communication: Proven ability to lead high-impact meetings and present complex information clearly to cross-functional stakeholders in both physical and virtual environments.

  Education and Experience

• Academic Background: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field; or a minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing or procurement.
• Preferred Certifications: Professional designation highly preferred (e.g., CPIM, CSCP, CPM or PMP).

• Work Environment

• Typical 10 hour work days.
• Typical 4 day work week schedule.
• Overtime is occasional based on a number of factors.
• Travel may be required.
• May be required to work during production shutdowns or other “off-schedule” periods to conduct special activities such as, but not limited to, fiscal year-end inventory counts.