Global Sourcing Buyer/Planner

Global Sourcing Buyer/Planner

Arrow Tool Group, based in Saddle Brook NJ, is part of Great Star Tools USA, Inc. and Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd. one of the largest manufacturers of hand tools in the world, specializing in R&D, and manufacturing high quality products for the DIY, professional and industrial channels. Our brands & companies in the USA include Arrow Fastener, Goldblatt, Pony & Jorgensen, Shop – Vac, Everbrite, WordPro, SK Tools, Prime-Line Products, TESA as well as many others.

Arrow Tool Group is a trusted leader in the hand tools and hardware industry, known for delivering high-quality, innovative solutions to both professional tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts. Arrow Fastener, a household name for over 90 years, is renowned for its iconic T50® staple gun and a wide range of fastening tools built for durability and precision. Building on the success of the heavy duty T50® staple gun, Arrow now markets a full line of pneumatic, electric and manual staplers and brad nailers as well as rivet tools, glue guns, and hammer tackers and a full line of consumables to match.

The Global Sourcing Buyer is an experienced supply chain professional responsible for managing end-to-end global procurement activities, supplier relationships, and sourcing execution. The ideal candidate brings solid hands-on knowledge of international buying, cost analysis, supplier negotiation, and supply chain planning, and can work with a strong degree of independence while knowing when to escalate.

This role is highly cross-functional and works in close partnership with the Marketing, Product, Sales, Quality, Operations and Finance teams. It requires a dynamic, organized individual who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, can juggle multiple priorities simultaneously, and brings a proactive sense of urgency to everything they do. The Global Sourcing Buyer plays a key role in ensuring the right products are sourced at the right cost, from the right suppliers, and delivered on time to support business growth, product launches, and financial targets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive global sourcing strategies that align with business objectives, cost targets, and product roadmaps.
• Own the full procurement cycle for finished goods and components sourced from international suppliers - from supplier identification and RFQ through negotiation, order placement, and delivery.
• Build and maintain a diversified, high-performing global supplier base; continuously evaluate alternatives to mitigate risk and drive competitive pricing.
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities, emerging supplier capabilities, and cost trends across key product categories.
• Assist with supplier qualification activities including factory audits, capability assessments, and compliance reviews.

Costing, Negotiation & Cost Optimization:

• Develop should-cost models and perform detailed cost analysis to establish a strong negotiating foundation and identify savings opportunities.
• Lead commercial negotiations with overseas suppliers on pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities (MOQ), payment terms, tooling, and service level agreements.
• Drive year-over-year cost reduction through strategic negotiation, re-sourcing, consolidation, and value engineering initiatives.
• Track and report PPV, landed cost analysis, and savings pipelines to supply chain and finance leadership.
• Evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) - including freight, duties, lead time, and quality risk - when making sourcing decisions.

Supply Chain Planning & Inventory Management:

• Partner with demand planner to translate forecasts and product plans into accurate, timely purchase orders and replenishment strategies.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels, lead times, and supplier capacity to ensure product availability while minimizing excess and obsolescence risk.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier master data, and planning parameters within the ERP/MRP system.
• Proactively identify supply risks and develop contingency plans to protect continuity of supply.
• Track key inventory metrics - turns, fill rates, on-time delivery — and drive corrective actions where needed.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for international suppliers; build strong, long-term partnerships based on performance, transparency, and mutual accountability.
• Conduct regular business reviews with key suppliers, tracking KPIs including on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Manage supplier performance issues, lead corrective action processes, and escalate where appropriate.
• Coordinate with suppliers on production schedules, shipment readiness, and documentation requirements for international shipments.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers as the business requires, ensuring seamless integration into sourcing workflows.

Cross-Functional Collaboration – Marketing, Product, Sales, Finance & QC:

• Partner closely with the Marketing and Product teams to support new product introductions - including supplier sourcing, costing, sampling coordination, and timeline management.
• Provide supply chain input during product development to influence design-for-sourcing decisions, cost targets, and go-to-market timelines.
• Collaborate with the Sales team to align sourcing plans with demand signals, promotional calendars, and customer commitments; respond quickly when priorities shift.
• Work alongside Finance to support cost reporting, budget planning, PPV tracking, and landed cost reconciliation; ensure sourcing decisions are transparent and financially sound.
• Partner closely with the QC team on product quality issues, vendor returns, compliance requirements, and corrective actions; serve as the key liaison between QC and overseas suppliers to drive timely resolution.
• Respond with urgency to evolving business priorities across all teams, managing shifting timelines and competing demands without compromising quality or cost.
• Communicate proactively on lead times, supplier constraints, cost impacts, and potential risks to all relevant internal stakeholders.
• Support product launches by ensuring supplier readiness, sample approvals, and on-time delivery of initial production runs.

Logistics & Compliance Coordination:

• Coordinate with logistics and freight partners to manage international shipments, documentation, and customs compliance.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively manage delays, expedites, and exceptions to minimize business impact.
• Ensure all global sourcing activities comply with applicable import/export regulations, company policies, and ethical sourcing standards.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, International Trade, or a related field - or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in global sourcing with demonstrated experience managing international supplier relationships, including factories in Asia (China, Vietnam, or similar regions).
• Proven track record of leading complex commercial negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings. Skilled at building leverage, navigating supplier relationships, and closing favorable commercial agreements.
• Strong proficiency in costing methodologies including should-cost modeling, landed cost analysis, and TCO evaluation.
• Solid understanding of supply chain planning, demand-driven replenishment, and inventory management principles including familiarity with international logistics, customs documentation, and import compliance requirements
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Oracle, or equivalent) and purchasing workflows.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with demonstrated proficiency using Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, scenario modeling, and data analysis.
• Exposure to new product development (NPD) processes and supporting cross-functional product launch timelines.
• Works with a Sense of Urgency. Can respond quickly to shifting business needs; comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple concurrent projects, suppliers, and stakeholders without losing focus or accuracy.
• Takes ownership of outcomes; dependable in meeting commitments and maintaining accurate records.
• Communicates clearly and credibly with both internal stakeholders and external global suppliers.
• Bi-lingual English/Mandarin speaking is a plus

Arrow Tool Group offers a range of benefits to meet our employees' needs, based on eligibility. These benefits include, but are not limited to, our Core benefits: comprehensive healthcare, dental and vision coverage. We offer ancillary benefits, such as Life/AD&D Insurance, Salary Continuation (dependent on location), or Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Voluntary benefits (i.e. Critical Illness, etc.), Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. We also offer a 401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Savings Plan with an Employer Match. Vacation/Sick/Personal time off is available. Additional details about these benefits will be provided during the hiring process.