Strategic Sourcing Manager
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Job Description
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The Role
The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supplier performance. This role partners cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, and finance to drive value across the supply base while ensuring alignment with business objectives.
The ideal candidate brings deep category expertise, strong commercial acumen, and proven experience leading complex sourcing initiatives across a global supplier base.
What you’ll do
- Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories (e.g., direct materials, indirect spend, services)
- Lead supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding processes
- Drive cost reduction initiatives through negotiation, value engineering, and market analysis
- Conduct RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ) and evaluate supplier proposals
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure performance, innovation, and risk mitigation
- Monitor supplier performance using KPIs such as cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness
- Partner with internal stakeholders (engineering, quality, operations) to align sourcing strategies with product and business needs
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity constraints, geopolitical risks, and single-source dependencies
- Lead contract negotiations and ensure compliance with legal and company policies
- Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and industry benchmarks to inform sourcing decisions
- Support new product introduction (NPI) efforts with early supplier involvement
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supply base
- Serve as a key advisor to leadership on supply market dynamics, risks and opportunities.
- Mentor and develop sourcing team members; may directly manage a team
What you’ll bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
- 10-15 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply chain management
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills
- Experience managing suppliers in a manufacturing or operations environment
- Proven ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions
- Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and sourcing tools
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Experience with global sourcing and international suppliers
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Kano is a technology company that specializes in creating interactive and educational products, empowering people of all ages to learn about technology and computing. With a focus on maker culture and hands-on learning, Kano's products are designed to be fun, accessible, and easy to use. The company's mission is to inspire creativity, curiosity, and innovation in individuals, helping to bridge the gap between technology and the people who use it. Kano's products have been widely acclaimed for their ability to simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to a broad audience, from children to adults. The company has also established partnerships with major technology firms, further solidifying its position as a leader in the ed-tech industry. With a strong commitment to education, community, and innovation, Kano continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with technology, inspiring a new generation of makers, creators, and innovators.
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