Talascend
A Talascend client in Salem, OH is currently seeking a Senior Strategic Procurement Specialist for a direct hire opportunity.
Hybrid role: flexibility based on candidate location
Strategic Senior Procurement Specialist Reports to:
Head of Execution FLSA Classification:
Salaried, Exempt Travel:
Requires up to 50-60% travel, both domestic and international
Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced
Strategic Senior Procurement Specialist
to join our North American procurement team. This role is pivotal in driving
supplier development ,
strategic sourcing initiatives , and
supply chain optimization
for our cutting-edge technology solutions tailored to the steel industry. The ideal candidate will possess deep procurement expertise, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for building long-term supplier partnerships.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Leadership Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with business goals and global supply chain trends. Lead cross-functional sourcing projects to optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance. Identify and qualify new suppliers in the Americas, with a focus on quality and lead time optimization. Supplier Development & Management Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure performance, reliability, and continuous improvement. Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and risk evaluations. Drive supplier performance metrics (KPIs) and corrective action plans. Contract Negotiation & Compliance Negotiate complex contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level expectations. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical sourcing standards. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with engineering, operations, and quality teams to align procurement strategies with product development and manufacturing needs. Support new product introductions (NPIs) through early supplier engagement and cost modeling. Market Intelligence & Travel Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to stay ahead of industry trends. Travel extensively to supplier sites and trade shows (domestic and international).
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Business, or related field 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, preferably in heavy industry and CapEx Proven track record in supplier development, global sourcing, and contract negotiation. Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills. Willingness and ability to travel extensively (up to 50-60%). Preferred Skills:
Experience in the steel industry or heavy industrial sectors. Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and procurement analytics tools. Certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, or Six Sigma are a plus. Multilingual capabilities and international business experience. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): To measure success in this role, the following KPIs will be tracked: Cost & Savings
Annual cost savings achieved through strategic sourcing (% and absolute value) Total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction initiatives implemented Supplier Performance
Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD) rate (%) Supplier Quality Performance Sourcing & Contracting
Percentage of spend under contract Number of strategic sourcing initiatives completed per year Average lead time reduction achieved through sourcing optimization Risk & Compliance
Number of supplier audits conducted and closed Supplier risk mitigation plans implemented Compliance rate with internal procurement policies and external regulations
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those qualified individuals who closely meet the qualifications of the position will be contacted. The details of the position are only a summary, other duties may be assigned as necessary.
Background Check and Drug Screen may be required.
Hybrid role: flexibility based on candidate location
Strategic Senior Procurement Specialist Reports to:
Head of Execution FLSA Classification:
Salaried, Exempt Travel:
Requires up to 50-60% travel, both domestic and international
Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced
Strategic Senior Procurement Specialist
to join our North American procurement team. This role is pivotal in driving
supplier development ,
strategic sourcing initiatives , and
supply chain optimization
for our cutting-edge technology solutions tailored to the steel industry. The ideal candidate will possess deep procurement expertise, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for building long-term supplier partnerships.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Leadership Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with business goals and global supply chain trends. Lead cross-functional sourcing projects to optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance. Identify and qualify new suppliers in the Americas, with a focus on quality and lead time optimization. Supplier Development & Management Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure performance, reliability, and continuous improvement. Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and risk evaluations. Drive supplier performance metrics (KPIs) and corrective action plans. Contract Negotiation & Compliance Negotiate complex contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level expectations. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical sourcing standards. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with engineering, operations, and quality teams to align procurement strategies with product development and manufacturing needs. Support new product introductions (NPIs) through early supplier engagement and cost modeling. Market Intelligence & Travel Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to stay ahead of industry trends. Travel extensively to supplier sites and trade shows (domestic and international).
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Business, or related field 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, preferably in heavy industry and CapEx Proven track record in supplier development, global sourcing, and contract negotiation. Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills. Willingness and ability to travel extensively (up to 50-60%). Preferred Skills:
Experience in the steel industry or heavy industrial sectors. Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and procurement analytics tools. Certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, or Six Sigma are a plus. Multilingual capabilities and international business experience. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): To measure success in this role, the following KPIs will be tracked: Cost & Savings
Annual cost savings achieved through strategic sourcing (% and absolute value) Total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction initiatives implemented Supplier Performance
Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD) rate (%) Supplier Quality Performance Sourcing & Contracting
Percentage of spend under contract Number of strategic sourcing initiatives completed per year Average lead time reduction achieved through sourcing optimization Risk & Compliance
Number of supplier audits conducted and closed Supplier risk mitigation plans implemented Compliance rate with internal procurement policies and external regulations
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those qualified individuals who closely meet the qualifications of the position will be contacted. The details of the position are only a summary, other duties may be assigned as necessary.
Background Check and Drug Screen may be required.