Sourcing Specialist

This is not a remote position. Applicants must be in the greater KCMO area to be considered. POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Director of Sourcing, the Sourcing Specialist supports sourcing activities across assigned product categories by assisting with supplier research, RFQs, pricing analysis, supplier communication, and sourcing documentation. This role leans heavily on data: pulling and structuring information from ERP and data warehouse systems, building dashboards and reporting to track spend and performance, and using analytics and AI-enabled tools to surface pricing trends, supplier risk, and savings opportunities faster than manual review allows. This role helps identify qualified suppliers, evaluate supplier capabilities, maintain accurate sourcing data, and support cost savings, quality, delivery, and supply continuity goals. The Sourcing Specialist works closely with Purchasing, Product Management, Operations, Sales, and other cross-functional partners to support sourcing initiatives and ensure suppliers meet company expectations for cost, quality, service, and reliability. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Support the Director of Sourcing in executing sourcing strategies for assigned product categories, including supplier research, RFQ preparation, pricing comparisons, and sourcing documentation. Identify and evaluate potential domestic and international suppliers based on cost, quality, capacity, lead times, service levels, and overall business fit. Assist with RFQs, RFPs, bid comparisons, award recommendations, and supplier onboarding activities. Apply data analytics and AI-enabled technologies to structure bid evaluations, standardize supplier pricing comparisons, identify cost-saving opportunities, and strengthen award decision consistency. Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, lead times, product availability, documentation requirements, shortages, and follow-up items. Maintain high-quality supplier, item, pricing, and sourcing data in ERP and associated systems to support effective decision-making and operational efficiency. Assist with supplier documentation, including certificates of origin, compliance documentation, product specifications, and other required records. Maintain organized sourcing files, reports, and communication records to support visibility, accountability, and audit readiness. Extract and structure data from ERP, data warehouse, and other company systems to analyze supplier spend, pricing trends, and category performance. Build and maintain dashboards and data visualizations (e.g., Power BI, Excel) that give the sourcing team real-time visibility into spend, savings, and supplier data. Apply AI-enabled tools to support data cleansing, spend classification, and document/contract review Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and compliance metrics, escalating issues and risks to the Director of Sourcing as appropriate. Support cost savings and value improvement initiatives by gathering data, analyzing supplier options, and documenting opportunities. Monitor market trends, pricing changes, product availability, and supply risks to support informed sourcing decisions, using data feeds and analytics tools to spot shifts early. Support the buildout and upkeep of AI-assisted and predictive analytics tools for supplier risk scoring, demand/price forecasting, and savings tracking. Support supplier meetings, business reviews, audits, corrective action follow-ups, and continuous improvement initiatives. Cross-Functional Partnership Partner with Purchasing, Product Management, Demand Planning, Operations, Sales, and Customer Service to align sourcing activities with business needs. Perform other duties as assigned. REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES Working knowledge of sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and supply chain processes. Ability to support supplier research, pricing analysis, RFQs, bid comparisons, and cost savings initiatives. Ability to extract reports and data from ERP systems and data warehouse; working proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or SQL) preferred. Comfort using AI-enabled sourcing and productivity tools (e.g., for spend classification, RFQ/quote comparison, or document summarization) to work faster and more accurately. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to review data, identify trends, and make sound recommendations. Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate supplier, item, pricing, and sourcing information. Effective communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and external suppliers. Ability to manage multiple priorities, follow up consistently, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel; experience with ERP systems preferred. Ability to work collaboratively across departments and support sourcing priorities with a customer-focused mindset. Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed. KEY COMPETENCIES Supplier sourcing and qualification RFQ/RFP preparation and bid comparison Pricing analysis and cost savings support Supplier performance tracking and follow-up ERP data accuracy and sourcing documentation Extracting and analyzing data from systems to be used for supplier and spend analysis Data visualization and dashboard development (Excel, Power BI) AI-enabled sourcing tools and process automation Market trend and supply risk monitoring Cross-functional sourcing coordination BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES Proactively seeks out relationships with colleagues Comfortably communicates through different mediums Follows through with established requirements Is highly attentive to details Carefully follows rules and regulations Is considerate of others' time and resources Collaborates comfortably with different groups of people Makes efficient use of existing resources SUCCESS MEASURES Accurate and timely supplier, item, pricing, and sourcing data maintained in ERP and related systems Completed RFQs, bid comparisons, and sourcing documentation that support informed supplier decisions Documented cost savings, value improvement, and supplier performance opportunities Effective follow-up on supplier documentation, shortages, lead times, and corrective action items Improved visibility to supplier capabilities, risks, pricing changes, and market trends through dashboards and analytics Drive data-informed sourcing strategies through the effective use of analytics and AI technologies, increasing analytical efficiency and strengthening recommendation accuracy Strong cross-functional alignment with Purchasing, Product Management, Operations, Sales, and Customer Service EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, operations, engineering, or related field preferred. Minimum of 2 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, purchasing, supply chain, product management, or a related field preferred. Experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, PVF, hose, fittings, or related product categories preferred. Experience with data analytics, business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), or AI-enabled procurement/sourcing platforms a plus. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk. Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and phone. Occasional travel may be required. Equal Opportunity Employer We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors. #J-18808-Ljbffr