Supply Chain Manager
Salary: Up to $125,000
Location: NW Chicago Suburbs
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Supply Chain Manager with strong strategic sourcing expertise to lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and procurement strategies while optimizing supply chain performance. This role is critical in driving cost reduction, supplier partnerships, and risk mitigation while ensuring the efficient flow of materials and services. The ideal candidate will have experience in strategic sourcing, supplier development, and global supply chain management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives to reduce costs, improve quality, and ensure supplier reliability.
- Lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and long-term agreements with key vendors.
- Manage and optimize procurement processes, supplier relationships, and category management.
- Analyze spend data, market trends, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure supplier capabilities align with business needs.
- Drive supplier risk management, including contingency planning and alternative sourcing strategies.
- Implement and oversee key performance indicators (KPIs) and supplier scorecards to measure and improve vendor performance.
- Identify and execute cost-reduction initiatives through negotiations, supplier consolidation, and supply chain optimization.
- Work with finance and operations teams to forecast material needs, manage inventory levels, and prevent supply chain disruptions.
- Ensure compliance with industry regulations, ethical sourcing policies, and corporate procurement guidelines.
- Lead make-versus-buy analysis to support strategic decisions on outsourcing versus in-house production.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in supply chain management, strategic sourcing, or procurement.
- Proven experience in supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost-reduction strategies.
- Strong knowledge of supply chain analytics, procurement best practices, and sourcing methodologies.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.).
- Ability to analyze market trends, supplier data, and cost structures to drive purchasing decisions.
- Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is a plus.
- Understanding of global supply chain dynamics, tariffs, trade compliance, and risk management.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MBA or APICS/ISM certifications (CPIM, CSCP, CPSM).
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, or high-volume production environments.
- Knowledge of logistics, transportation, and warehouse management best practices.
- Background in vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and supplier collaboration platforms.
