Why Kendall Howard?
We’re a growing manufacturer serving the IT infrastructure field, with a no-nonsense attitude: stay humble, work hard, and take on challenges head-first. Around here, you won’t just “do your job” — you’ll be part of a team that builds, solves, and delivers products we’re proud to put our name on. The benefits and pay are solid, but the real perk is being part of something that matters alongside people who care just as much as you do.
Our Benefits
We know benefits matter, and we’ve got you covered. Full-time employees enjoy:
- Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
- Supplemental insurance options
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Online apparel store
Position Overview
We are seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist with a strong background in metal fabrication. You will manage supplier relationships, negotiate long-term agreements, and optimize supply chain costs. Your expertise in metallurgy, welding, machining, thermal cutting, and forming will ensure high-quality material acquisition and strong supplier performance.
Work Structure
- Fully Onsite: This position requires full-time, physical presence at our manufacturing facility.
Key Responsibilities
- Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and onboard metal fabrication suppliers.
- Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations for Long-Term Supplier Agreements (LTSA) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU).
- Cost Optimization: Analyze commodity pricing trends in steel, aluminum, and copper to drive cost-reduction initiatives.
- Technical Collaboration: Partner with engineering to review blueprints, technical drawings, and manufacturing capabilities.
- Risk Mitigation: Assess supplier capacity, financial stability, and geopolitical risks to ensure supply continuity.
- Performance Tracking: Monitor vendor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) regarding quality, delivery, cost, and lead times.
Qualifications & Skills
- Experience: Minimum 3–5 years in strategic sourcing or procurement within a manufacturing environment.
- Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, and finishing processes.
- Blueprint Reading: Ability to interpret geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and CAD files.
- Negotiation: Proven track record of securing favorable terms and complex, multi-year supply contracts.
- Analytics: Proficiency in ERP systems (infor Visual, Epicor) and advanced data analysis using Microsoft Excel.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
Kendall Howard provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities.
Monday-Friday, 8 hour days
Skills Required
- 3-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement within a manufacturing environment
- Deep knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, and finishing processes
- Ability to interpret blueprints, GD&T, and CAD files
- Proven negotiation experience securing favorable terms and complex, multi-year supply contracts
- Proficiency with Infor Visual or Epicor ERP systems
- Advanced data analysis skills using Microsoft Excel
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related technical field
- Full-time onsite presence at the manufacturing facility
What We Do
Kendall Howard has one simple philosophy...The Answer is Yes! What's the Question? This philosophy has been the cornerstone in a foundation that has helped us grow into the company we are today - a leader in the IT Rackmount Furniture industry that now operates in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Chisago City, MN. What began as an idea in the spring of 2000 has shaped and changed the way companies and installers look at IT Furniture, Server Racks, and Rack Accessories. With a commitment to exceeding our customer’s expectations we began by listening to what Installers, IT Managers, and Network Engineers were saying about racks and IT furniture. Rather than doing it the way everyone else does, we charted a path to manufacture more functional, cost effective, innovative products and solutions that keep up with evolving technology and compete with the flood of imported products. Some people wondered if it could be done. After all, racks and IT Furniture are only a small component of your IT infrastructure. At Kendall Howard we consistently prove that you actually can have the best product, with the best customer service, at the best price. We exceed our Customer’s expectations every day by focusing on The Customer: •Quality American-made products •Offering a Limited Lifetime Warranty •Unprecedented customer service We offer custom manufacturing of your product from start to finish, including the engineering, marketing, deployment and everything in-between.
