Sourcing Manager

Employment Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt Department: Production Control Location: Manufacturing Ridgeland, SCJob Summary The Sourcing Manager will oversee and manage the procurement process for raw materials, components, and services required for TICO's manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies, negotiating with suppliers, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring that all procurement activities align with company objectives, quality standards, cost targets, and operational requirements. The Sourcing Manager will directly supervise two Sourcing Specialists, providing direction, training, mentoring, and ongoing development. This position will establish priorities, delegate assignments, monitor performance, and ensure the sourcing team effectively supports TICO's manufacturing and business objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities: Develops and executes a comprehensive sourcing and procurement strategy aligned with TICO's business and manufacturing objectives. Directly supervises, trains, mentors, and develops two Sourcing Specialists. Provides day-to-day leadership and direction to the sourcing team, including assigning workloads, establishing priorities, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely completion of assignments. Coaches team members on supplier negotiations, sourcing practices, purchasing procedures, contract management, and problem resolution. Establishes performance expectations and provides ongoing feedback, coaching, and development opportunities for Sourcing Specialists. Collaborates with other departments and leadership to identify and develop requirements for equipment, materials, products, and acceptable substitutions. Assesses current material availability and reasonably predicts future availability based on market conditions, delivery systems, supplier capacity, and other variables. Develops and aggressively drives material cost-reduction initiatives. Negotiates supplier terms and conditions to maximize TICO's overall value, including favorable pricing, payment terms, lead times, warranties, and service agreements. Identifies opportunities to transfer and mitigate risk through supplier agreements, warranties, contractual terms, and other sourcing strategies. Prepares and presents market conditions, supplier performance, and material cost reports to leadership. Manages the preparation and processing of purchase orders and requisitions for materials, supplies, and equipment using the TICO MRP system. Develops, implements, and maintains purchasing and contract management policies, procedures, and work instructions. Evaluates bids and supplier proposals and approves or recommends conditions for issuing and awarding business. Leads supplier negotiations and serves as the company's primary representative in strategic supplier discussions. Develops and maintains strong supplier relationships while holding suppliers accountable for cost, quality, delivery, warranty, and service expectations. Resolves disputes, grievances, and performance issues with vendors, contractors, and suppliers. Maintains and improves purchasing, sourcing, and recordkeeping systems to ensure accurate and accessible procurement information. Coordinates the removal, disposition, or disposal of surplus materials as appropriate. Administers the sourcing department budget and monitors expenditures. Tracks and monitors company-owned assets, including TICO-owned tooling and fixtures located at supplier production facilities. Establishes sourcing metrics and monitors team and supplier performance against established objectives. Identifies opportunities to improve sourcing processes, supplier performance, and overall procurement efficiency. Ensures sourcing activities comply with company policies, procedures, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven negotiation and supplier management skills. Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and customer service skills. Strong supervisory and leadership skills with the ability to effectively train, coach, and mentor team members. Ability to establish priorities, delegate responsibilities, and effectively manage the workload of a sourcing team. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. Ability to develop and execute sourcing strategies that support cost, quality, delivery, and operational objectives. Thorough understanding of materials, components, equipment, and supplies used in a manufacturing environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software and MRP systems. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Procurement, or a related field required. At least three years of progressively responsible experience in sourcing, procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or a related field required. Previous supervisory, team leadership, or people-management experience preferred. Manufacturing or automotive/industrial procurement experience preferred. Demonstrated experience with supplier negotiations, cost reduction, contracts, and supplier relationship management preferred.

Working conditions: This position primarily operates in an office environment but may also require work in warehouse settings. Travel may be required to visit manufacturing facilities, suppliers, or customer sites as necessary to support quality initiatives and resolve issues. PPE is required per company procedures and includes safety shoes, safety glasses and safety vest.

Physical requirements: Work is primarily performed in an office setting, requiring prolonged sitting, computer use, and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.