At least 1 year
Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Specialist (Steel)
Job Description
The Strategic Sourcing Specialist plays a key role in the supply chain management process by optimizing savings, improving procurement procedures, and supporting a designated commodity across all manufacturing locations. This role focuses on negotiating contracts and purchase agreements, developing strategic sourcing plans to mitigate risk and address supply chain disruptions, and building strong relationships with suppliers to ensure the business receives optimal support and service. The position offers the opportunity to influence company-wide procurement strategy, drive cost-saving initiatives, and support significant organizational growth over the coming years.
Responsibilities
- Execute and manage competitive, business-wide contracts and supplier relationships by leveraging combined volume across all business units to obtain better pricing and terms.
- Research current purchased parts and identify alternative materials or suppliers that are more readily available and cost-effective.
- Collaborate with suppliers to set up and maintain corporate accounts and commercial terms that support business objectives.
- Partner with related business units to combine similar product volumes and negotiate contracts with key suppliers to maximize economies of scale.
- Analyze, collect, and summarize procurement and spend data across the organization to support decision-making on the overall future procurement strategy.
- Act as a primary point of contact between the company and suppliers, maintaining strong relationships while continually scouting and qualifying additional vendors to support future growth.
- Work closely with finance and legal teams to ensure contract terms are commercially favorable, compliant, and aligned with company policies.
- Develop and implement sound, cost-effective strategies for purchasing materials used across the business.
- Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews with key suppliers to improve product quality, enhance service levels, and ensure timely deliveries that meet demand.
- Create and maintain vendor scorecards and review performance with suppliers to drive continuous improvement.
- Help define and support risk management procedures, including disaster recovery and business continuity plans, to mitigate losses in the event of product shortages or supply disruptions.
- Liaise with key internal stakeholders to understand their product and service needs and ensure procurement strategies align with operational requirements.
- Create and manage safety stock strategies for products within D365 or other ERP systems.
- Support the establishment and standardization of corporate procurement processes to meet JSOX and other internal control expectations.
- Negotiate agreements, contracts, terms, and deadlines with vendors, balancing tactical goals such as lowest price with strategic considerations such as total value and long-term partnerships.
- Support the enhancement and improvement of the new vendor qualification process to ensure suppliers meet company standards.
- Collaborate with IT to establish new reports, tools, and processes that enhance procurement visibility and effectiveness.
- Contribute to cost savings initiatives for current and upcoming projects by identifying and implementing sourcing efficiencies.
- Provide sourcing support for all manufacturing locations within your designated commodity, ensuring continuity of supply and alignment of procurement practices.
- Onboard and vet new suppliers, ensuring they meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
- Periodically travel, approximately every two to three months, to manufacturing sites for one- to three-day visits to support sourcing activities and supplier engagements.
- Demonstrate punctuality, attention to detail, strong work ethic, and self-starting behavior in daily activities and project work.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience in sourcing or procurement, with at least one opening requiring specific sourcing experience within the steel commodity.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating with steel suppliers for pricing, terms, and supply agreements.
- Experience working within a sourcing or procurement function with a strong understanding of procurement processes and best practices.
- Strong understanding of procurement and negotiation techniques, including the ability to balance cost, value, and risk in supplier agreements.
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems, including D365 or similar platforms, for managing procurement and materials data.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, interpret, and summarize data to support procurement strategy and decision-making.
- Demonstrated negotiation skills with the ability to achieve favorable outcomes while maintaining positive supplier relationships.
- Effective conflict resolution skills to manage and resolve issues with suppliers or internal stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with external suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- High level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in contracts, data, and procurement documentation.
- Reliable and punctual work habits, consistently meeting deadlines and commitments.
- Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive projects forward.
- Ability to support multiple manufacturing locations and manage priorities across different sites and stakeholders.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with contract drafting, review, or administration in a procurement or sourcing context.
- Experience creating and managing vendor scorecards and conducting supplier performance reviews.
- Familiarity with JSOX or similar internal control frameworks related to procurement processes.
- Experience developing or supporting safety stock strategies within an ERP environment.
- Exposure to risk management practices such as disaster recovery and business continuity planning related to supply chain.
- Experience collaborating with finance and legal teams on contract terms and commercial agreements.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a growing organization and adapt to evolving processes and structures.
- Professional traits such as being prompt, detail-oriented, hardworking, and proactive in identifying and solving problems.
- Willingness and ability to travel periodically (every two to three months) for short visits to manufacturing sites, typically one to three days in duration.
Work Environment
This role operates within a dynamic manufacturing and supply chain environment and is offered as a six-month contract-to-hire opportunity. Standard working hours are typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with some flexibility available based on business needs. The dress code is business casual, with casual closed-toe shoes required. Steel-toe shoes are required when entering the manufacturing floor, and the company will reimburse for these shoes. The role may require occasional travel every two to three months to manufacturing sites, typically for one to three days at a time, with hotel, car, and meal expenses covered during these trips. The organization is experiencing significant growth and expects to triple in size over the next five to ten years, offering strong opportunities for career development. Employees may be eligible for twice-yearly bonus potential upon conversion to a permanent role and merit reviews that can lead to pay increases, typically effective in July, reflecting a performance-driven and growth-oriented culture.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Noblesville, IN.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $35.00 - $55.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
This is a fully onsite position in Noblesville,IN.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jul 19, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
Posting ID: JP-006144078