Advanced Sourcing Specialist

Your Job The Molex Optical Connectivity Group is seeking a highly driven NPI Sourcing Specialist/Engineer to lead sourcing and supply chain activities for New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Product Development (NPD) programs. In this role, you will serve as the primary supply chain interface for assigned customer and internal development programs, ensuring that sourcing strategies align with technical requirements, cost targets, and program timelines. This position requires a blend of technical understanding, strategic sourcing capability, supplier management experience, and strong cross‑functional collaboration. You will work closely with engineering, product management, program management, finance, and category sourcing teams to deliver competitive, reliable, and scalable supply solutions for emerging products in the fiber optic connectivity space. Location: This is a hybrid role based in Lisle, IL, Hudson, WI, or Eden Prairie, MN. Our Team You’ll join a fast‑paced, innovative, and customer‑focused team within the Optical Connectivity Group, a leader in fiber optic connectivity solutions. The environment is dynamic, growth‑oriented, and highly collaborative—ideal for someone who thrives on solving complex sourcing challenges and influencing product development from the ground up. Molex is a global electronics leader serving customers across multiple industries worldwide. As a subsidiary of Koch, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the world, Molex combines global scale and long‑term investment strength with an entrepreneurial, high‑performance culture guided by Principle-Based Management (PBM). What You Will Do Serve as the primary Supply Chain/Procurement representative for assigned NPI/NPD programs, ensuring sourcing decisions align to program objectives, customer requirements, and launch timelines. Partner cross‑functionally with Design Engineering, Process Engineering, Product/Program Management, and Finance to translate technical requirements into actionable sourcing strategies. Participate in design reviews to influence component selection, manufacturability, and cost optimization. Develop and execute sourcing plans that deliver a fully costed Bill of Materials (BOM) aligned with lead‑time, cost, and profitability targets. Leverage existing Molex components and suppliers whenever possible to reduce complexity, accelerate development, and maximize spend leverage. Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers when needed for new technologies/capabilities, including capability assessments, audits, and supplier risk reviews. Lead supplier engagement for NPI activities, including early technical alignment, RFQs/quotes, and negotiation of pricing, lead‑times, flexibility, and development support. Act as procurement project lead on cross‑functional NPI teams, tracking milestones and ensuring on‑time delivery of prototypes, pilot builds, and pre‑production materials. Own program cost modeling and BOM roll‑ups; monitor supplier lead‑times and performance, proactively identifying supply risks and driving mitigation plans to protect schedules. Provide regular status updates to internal stakeholders (and customers as appropriate) and contribute to broader strategic initiatives (supplier consolidation, cost reduction, and market/technology trend inputs for long‑term sourcing strategy). Who You Are (Basic Qualifications) Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or Economics 5+ years in sourcing or procurement within a manufacturing or OEM environment. Experience in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP). Proven experience managing complex Bill of Materials (BOMs). Experience in contract manufacturing or build‑to‑print environments. What Will Put You Ahead Demonstrated experience supporting New Product Development (NPD) programs Experience in Fiber Optic Manufacturing operations and related components This position is not eligible for VISA Sponsorship. In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. For this role, we anticipate paying $85,000 - $120,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form. At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy. Our Benefits Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength—focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter. Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results. Equal Opportunities Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E‑Verify. For Illinois E‑Verify information, please see the relevant regulatory guidance. #J-18808-Ljbffr Molex