The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, improve supply continuity, and support business growth objectives. This role leads supplier negotiations, category management strategies, contract administration, and cross-functional sourcing projects for a major national distributor serving industrial and mining customers throughout North America.
The Senior Sourcing Manager serves as a key business partner to Operations, Inventory Management, Product Management, Sales, and Finance, ensuring that sourcing decisions support customer service, profitability, and competitive market positioning. The role manages critical supplier relationships across a portfolio of thousands of products and works closely with internal stakeholders to drive value, innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies across assigned product categories to ensure cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and supplier performance.
- Lead negotiations with strategic suppliers to secure favorable pricing, payment terms, rebates, service-level agreements, and volume incentive programs.
- Manage supplier relationships and serve as the primary escalation point for strategic sourcing and supplier-related issues.
- Conduct supplier performance reviews using key metrics including cost, quality, delivery performance, service levels, and responsiveness.
- Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, strategic partnerships, and long-term value creation.
- Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support business growth, risk mitigation, and category expansion initiatives.
- Analyze spend data, market trends, and industry conditions to identify cost-reduction and margin improvement opportunities.
- Develop and execute category management plans aligned with organizational objectives.
- Drive sourcing initiatives that improve overall profitability while maintaining product quality and customer service levels.
- Partner with Pricing, Product Management, and Sales leadership to support competitive pricing strategies.
- Continuously evaluate product offerings and sourcing alternatives to enhance the company’s market position.
- Lead contract negotiations and manage supplier agreements to ensure commercial and operational objectives are met.
- Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and company purchasing policies.
- Maintain accurate contract documentation and monitor contract renewals, rebates, and supplier commitments.
- Collaborate with Legal and Finance teams on contract reviews and supplier risk assessments.
- Partner with Inventory Management to improve forecasting accuracy, inventory availability, and inventory turns.
- Support branch operations and sales teams in resolving sourcing challenges, product availability concerns, and pricing issues.
- Collaborate with Product Specialists and Operations leaders to evaluate new product opportunities and supplier solutions.
- Provide recommendations to senior leadership regarding sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and market conditions.
- Lead strategic sourcing projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
- Monitor supply market conditions, geopolitical risks, and supplier performance factors that could impact business operations.
- Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical products and suppliers.
- Ensure suppliers meet company standards regarding quality, safety, compliance, and ethical business practices.
- Support initiatives related to supplier diversity, sustainability, and risk management where applicable.
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
Category & Cost Management
Contract Negotiation & Administration
Cross-Functional Leadership
Supplier Risk & Compliance
Additional Responsibilities
- Assist branch and regional leadership with strategic sourcing, supplier performance, and competitive pricing concerns.
- Participate in supplier visits, industry conferences, trade shows, and business meetings.
- Conduct supplier business reviews and market assessments.
- Develop and deliver sourcing-related training programs for employees and stakeholders.
- Support inventory optimization initiatives and excess inventory reduction programs.
- Implement and enforce company policies and sourcing procedures.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by management.
- Travel as required.
Required Technical Skills
- ERP Systems (AS400 experience preferred)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- Spend Analysis and Reporting Tools
- Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Systems
- Contract Management Platforms
- Standard Office Equipment
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field required.
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent preferred.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience.
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience leading complex supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Experience managing high-spend categories and working with large supplier networks.
- Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and contract management skills.
- Familiarity with industrial distribution, mining, manufacturing, or related industries preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively with senior leadership teams.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact [email protected] to request reasonable accommodation. Only requests for accommodation in the application process will be returned from this email address. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí). Sun-Source | Privacy Policy #ucassc
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field
- 7–10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience
- 3–5 years leading complex supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives
- Experience managing high-spend categories and large supplier networks
- Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and contract management skills
- Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate with senior leadership teams
- Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent
- Experience in industrial distribution, mining, manufacturing, or related industries
- ERP systems experience, preferably AS400
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, spend analysis and reporting tools, supplier relationship management systems, and contract management platforms
SunSource Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SunSource and has not been reviewed or approved by SunSource.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare Strength: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with plan options are offered alongside wellness programs and an EAP. Offerings also include HSA/HRA and FSA choices that broaden the health coverage scope.
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Retirement Support — Retirement Support: A 401(k) with company match is included and called out in employer-provided materials. This provides a clear foundation for long-term savings within the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave & Time Off Breadth: Paid vacation and holidays are part of the package, with PTO described as decent and vacation potentially capping near four weeks. These time-off elements contribute to a rounded core benefits menu.
SunSource Insights
What We Do
SunSource, a leader in industrial and mobile fluid power distribution for over 85 years, provides customers with innovative solutions that help reduce maintenance costs, lower operating costs and increase productivity. The solutions are part of the SunSource Advantage: a comprehensive program offering design and engineering support; supply chain optimization; productivity solutions; value-added services; and repair capabilities. As a national distributor with local presence, SunSource has a unique and dominant position as a full-service resource for the industrial, OEM, MRO and mobile industrial equipment industries. We distribute a broad range of components, but SunSource is much more than a distributor just supplying fluid power components or systems. Along with high-quality products, we provide a commitment to high-quality customer service and technically sound, cost-effective solutions. SunSource’s history of accomplishment and continued growth means that we give the best condition to energetic, driven people to be effective in their role. We pride ourselves on a culture that provides opportunities for development and advancement of our associates. In addition, we build meaningful relations with our customers, suppliers and internal associates. We are all bound by a pledge to a common mission toward providing the highest quality products and services within our industry and achieving the company’s growth objectives
