The Strategic Sourcing / Procurement Specialist supports sourcing, localization, supplier management, commercial negotiations, and cost optimization activities for Cummins products. The role is responsible for analyzing supplier quotations, conducting should-cost and benchmarking analysis, developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier agreements, and identifying cost reduction opportunities while ensuring quality, delivery, compliance, and long-term supplier relationships.
Key Responsibilities- Manage supplier agreements, including Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), purchasing agreements, and other commercial contracts.
- Lead sourcing and localization programs, ensuring timely execution and achievement of project milestones.
- Develop and evaluate should-cost models for castings, forgings, machined components, sheet metal, brake components, and proprietary parts.
- Prepare and evaluate tooling cost estimates for new product development and localization projects.
- Conduct raw material cost trend analysis, RM indexing, price benchmarking, and commercial analysis to support supplier negotiations.
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and drive successful cost settlements while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
- Prepare and issue RFQs and evaluate supplier quotations using Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and technical-commercial analysis.
- Analyze and benchmark BOM costs for complete vehicles, aggregates, and sub-systems to identify cost optimization opportunities.
- Identify and implement Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) and cost reduction initiatives across commodities.
- Develop sourcing strategies, assess supplier capabilities, and support supplier selection and development.
- Monitor manufacturing technologies, cost drivers, market trends, and industry developments across commodities such as gears, castings, forgings, sheet metal, brake components, bearings, rubber, and seals.
- Manage procurement transactions and reporting using ERP systems such as SAP MM, JD Edwards, or Oracle.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures, ethical sourcing practices, and applicable commercial requirements.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams to achieve sourcing and project objectives.
- Analyze sourcing data and market intelligence to identify process improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
- Maintain appropriate supplier, legal, and compliance documentation in applicable systems.
- Support supplier onboarding, vendor management, and procurement process improvement initiatives.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field.
- A degree or specialization in Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, or related discipline is preferred.
- Additional qualifications in strategic sourcing, cost engineering, or supply chain management will be an advantage.
- Relevant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, commodity management, cost engineering, or supplier management.
- Hands-on experience in should-cost analysis and cost estimation for manufacturing processes such as castings, forgings, machining, sheet metal, brake components, or proprietary parts.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling costs, raw material cost drivers, and supplier economics.
- Experience in RFQ management, supplier quotation analysis, cost benchmarking, and commercial negotiations.
- Knowledge of VA/VE, cost reduction, localization, and sourcing strategy development.
- Working knowledge of SAP MM, JD Edwards, Oracle, or similar ERP/procurement systems.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with the ability to use cost and market data for business decisions.
- Understanding of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles and supplier evaluation methodologies.
- Strong financial acumen and understanding of procurement cost structures.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
- Strong project/program management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver against timelines.
High level of integrity and understanding of procurement ethics, policies, and compliance requirements.
- Ability to work effectively in a global, cross-functional environment and adapt to changing business requirements.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration, or related field
- Experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, commodity management, cost engineering, or supplier management
- Hands-on experience in should-cost analysis and manufacturing cost estimation (castings, forgings, machining, sheet metal, brake components)
- Experience preparing and evaluating tooling cost estimates and BOM cost benchmarking
- Experience in RFQ management, supplier quotation analysis, and commercial negotiations
- Knowledge of Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), cost reduction, localization, and sourcing strategy development
- Working knowledge of SAP MM, JD Edwards, Oracle, or similar ERP/procurement systems
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, including TCO and supplier evaluation methodologies
- Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and conflict-resolution skills
- Strong project/program management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Additional qualifications in strategic sourcing, cost engineering, or supply chain management
Cummins Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cummins and has not been reviewed or approved by Cummins.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company contribution/match and both defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans are offered, alongside profit sharing and an employee stock purchase plan. This mix supports long-term savings and financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options (HSA, HSA Plus, PPO) with dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage are provided, along with telehealth, mental-health support, and wellness tools. In-network protections and HSA/HSA Plus structures are described to help manage costs.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid maternity and paternity leave, family medical leave, and adoption assistance are offered. Reduced or flexible hours and unpaid extended leave options further support caregiving needs.
Cummins Insights
What We Do
At Cummins, we empower everyone to grow their careers through meaningful work, building inclusive and equitable teams, coaching, development and opportunities to make a difference. Across our entire organization, you'll find engineers, developers, and technicians who are innovating, designing, testing, and building. You'll also find accountants, marketers, as well as manufacturing, quality and supply chain specialists who are working with technology that's just as innovative and advanced.







