Position Summary:

Drives Sourcing cost reduction / productivity programs and initiatives consistent with objectives set forth by the corporation. Develops and drives the strategy for the commodity across the division. This position will be focused on purchasing commodity items.

In commodities of expertise…

• Manage all facets of supply chain that effect internal customer, external customer and total cost of ownership.

• Assist sites in establishing “Best in Class” supply base for commodities under management, to consolidate and leverage Spend around appropriate balance of Low Cost Region, Local and Corporate Outsourced parts suppliers.

• Ensure Suppliers understand the Divisional sourcing vision and are in alignment with that strategy.

• Research current spend and supplier utilization to determine opportunities for improved costs, quality, on time delivery and service

• Works in Conjunction with SQE (Supplier Quality Engineer), serves as a key evaluator of potential new suppliers

• Solicits and analyzes bids and negotiates binding contracts with suppliers

• Facilitates and manages both the development and oversight supplier transition plans as necessary

• Develops and implements programs, in conjunction with other elements of the Supply Chain team, for improving supplier productivity including value engineering, value added services, pricing, process improvement, demand pull delivery mechanisms and total cost of ownership improvements.

• Collaborate with R&D on all New Product Development to ensure that appropriate materials, components, configurations, and vendors are selected during the NPD process, to ensure optimal design, quality, supply base and cost    Collaboration with Engineering as well to drive Value Engineering on current product line.

• Responsible for understanding and clearly communicating developments and changes at suppliers and /or in technology that may affect his/her commodities

• Leads or provides guidance in the supplier performance procedure activities with the top suppliers

• Manages and drives programs across the division to maintain and improve upon Lean Techniques for inventory and spend management including: point of use stocking, just in time (JIT) manufacturing planning, JIT materials replenishment, vendor managed inventory and outsourcing.

• Visits suppliers regularly to assess available capacity, to address cross site issues and to insure that suppliers continue to maintain and improve upon their standards of excellence that led to their being selected as a Thermo supplier in the first place including JIT replenishment needs and overall performance (cost, quality, lead time, etc.)

• Must be willing to travel – approximately 20%

• Conduct regular Commodity and Supplier reviews to drive performance improvements with top Commodities and Suppliers, partnering with the sites and Supplier Quality Engineering.

• Drives low cost region sourcing initiative wherever feasible

• Managing and optimizing supplier performance, including continuous improvement, innovations, obsolescence and reduction in total cost of ownership.

• Partnering with Corporate Sourcing teams as appropriate to develop strategies and execute initiatives 

Additional:

• Assists in the training of other Sourcing personnel as required

• Assures equal opportunity for small, small disadvantaged, women owned and  other minority suppliers.

• Participate in the monthly/quarterly/annual scorecard planning & reporting

• Utilizes metrics to evaluate vendor performance

Desired Qualifications

• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma experience preferred

• Strong Organizational Skills and follow-through

• Analytical

• MAPICS experience/certification a plus

• Applicable certification (APICS, ISM, etc.) preferred

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under changing, dynamic environment and a collaborative player

• Self starter who takes individual initiative and has a passion for continuous improvement

• Cost accounting principles proficiency

• Advanced knowledge of suppliers' manufacturing processes and materials applications

• Risk assessment and management

• Understanding or past experience of purchasing for government contracts

• Has technical knowledge and ability to comprehend complex items related to commodity and equipment specifications, contract terms and conditions, statements of work and engineering drawings.

• Proven negotiation skills and a track record of building credible, reliable, customer focused sources of supply.

• Demonstrated success in delivering sourcing productivity

• International procurement experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline (experience, ongoing educational progress and certification may be considered in lieu of a BA degree)

• Minimum of 3-6 years in a commodity focused Sourcing role in the commodities required.

• Microsoft Office experience including (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Proven negotiating skills

• 3-6 years materials or manufacturing experience