Job Description
The Supplier Management Lead for Fabrication & Machining is responsible for developing, strengthening, and managing the supply base for machined components, welded assemblies, and fabricated products. This role focuses on building long-term supplier capability, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring reliable delivery of high quality parts that support production and operational goals.
In addition to supplier leadership responsibilities, this role will directly procure select fabricated items and critical components, while providing guidance and mentorship to buyers supporting fabrication, machining, and welding commodities.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Development & Performance Management
- Strengthen, develop, and grow key suppliers to improve quality, delivery, capability, and cost competitiveness.
- Conduct supplier assessments, manage scorecards, and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify gaps in supplier capability and create development plans to support both current and future fabrication and machining requirements.
- Build strategic, long-term supplier partnerships aligned with business objectives.
Strategic Procurement & Sourcing
- Directly procure select fabricated items, assemblies, and components based on complexity, risk, or business criticality.
- Source, negotiate, and place purchase orders for fabricated parts requiring advanced supplier coordination or technical expertise.
- Support make/buy decisions and alternate sourcing strategies in partnership with Engineering and Operations.
- Ensure procured items meet technical, quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
Team Leadership, Mentoring & Support
- Lead, coach, and mentor buyers responsible for fabrication, machining, and welding purchases.
- Guide buyers on supplier selection, negotiations, order placement, and issue resolution.
- Support buyers with escalations, supplier challenges, and complex procurement decisions.
- Promote consistent procurement best practices and supplier communication standards across the team.
Order & Supply Assurance
- Oversee critical and high-risk purchase orders to ensure schedule adherence and material availability.
- Support expediting efforts and supplier follow‑up for late or at‑risk orders.
- Collaborate with Accounts Payable and suppliers to resolve invoice discrepancies and disputes.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure suppliers comply with quality standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with Quality on inspections, audits, NCRs, and corrective actions.
- Drive root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement for recurring supplier issues.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Planning to align procurement activities with production schedules and forecasts.
- Partner with Engineering on drawings, specifications, design changes, and supplier capability reviews.
- Support Operations by resolving supplier-related production constraints.
REQUIRED
- A degree in business or a technical discipline or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures, materials, products, and the commodity market in an area of specialization.
DESIRED
- Professional certificates: CPIM, CSCP, CPSM
- Previous experience with supplier management of categories responsible for.
- Experience with value engineering and cost engineering activities.
- Previous purchasing experience in Machining and Fabrication
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.