Strategic Sourcing

Role Description

As a Strategic Sourcing Specialist at Kimbal, you will play a critical role in building a robust, cost-effective, and reliable supply base for mechanical commodities that power our next-generation smart metering products. You will lead end-to-end sourcing activities covering supplier identification, development, tooling, new product introductions, cost optimization, and supplier performance management.

The role demands a strong blend of technical understanding of manufacturing processes and commercial acumen to drive quality, cost, delivery, and innovation across the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive strategic sourcing and supplier development for mechanical commodities including plastics, sheet metal, fasteners, packaging, and related components.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and new supplier development to strengthen Kimbal's supply ecosystem.
• Ensure timely development of new projects by coordinating supplier readiness, tooling, PPAP approvals, and quality validations.
• Drive component re-development and localization initiatives while ensuring uninterrupted mass production supplies.
• Identify and execute cost optimization opportunities through value engineering, supplier negotiations, and commercial excellence.
• Manage tooling development, tooling investments, lifecycle tracking, and tooling cost optimization.
• Build strong supplier relationships while continuously improving supplier performance on quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and New Product Development teams to ensure successful product launches and sustained production.

Job Requirements

Experience

• 58 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Direct Procurement, or Supplier Development.
• Experience in the Metering, Automotive, Consumer Durables/FMCD, or related manufacturing industries.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of Injection Moulding manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience in tooling development and tooling lifecycle management.
• Expertise in ZBC (Zero-Based Costing) for mechanical commodities.
• Strong supplier development and supplier quality management experience.
• Excellent commercial negotiation and cost management capabilities.
• Understanding of PPAP processes and new product development.
• Knowledge of plastics, sheet metal, fasteners, packaging, and other mechanical commodity sourcing.