About Us

WHY WERNER? BECAUSE WE ARE THE PRO'S CHOICE! You will find our market leading products and brands on trucks and job sites all over the world. Focusing on end users' needs drives our success. Our entire product development process—from research to engineering to manufacturing to commercialization—creates products that ensure ease of use, productivity, durability and safety for the end user. On jobsites across America and the world, WernerCo brands are most preferred.

Overview

The Sourcing Specialist provides support to the organizations manufacturing operations and product development programs by driving continuous improvements in supplier performance, cost competitiveness, quality, delivery, and innovation. This individual will proactively manage the end-to-end Supply Chain Level Process to ensure that Service Level Expectations of Internal Customers are satisfied.  Independently, and in collaboration with Suppliers and other key internal stakeholders, this position will identify and execute projects with the objective of cost reduction, inventory turns improvement, E&O reduction, reduced production shortages, lead time reduction, quality improvement and working capital improvement across assigned supplier base.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Strategic Sourcing Manager, develop and execute component sourcing and supplier development strategies that support the Operational, Commercial and Technical requirements of the organization.
• Develop RFP’s & RFQ’s to be sent to qualified sources, review proposals, and assist in the selection of suppliers and award of contracts.
• Identify and select suppliers that meet quality, delivery and cost goals in accordance to the strategic sourcing plan.
• Review, develop and negotiate LTA’s/Supply Agreements and blanket orders with strategic suppliers in assigned categories.
• Develop, Implement, and manage direct material cost reduction plan for assigned categories.
• Optimize supply base amongst Storage manufacturing sites to achieve commodity leverage opportunities in accordance to the strategic sourcing plan.
• Lead cross functional and supplier team meetings, managing action items and driving execution of key deliverables.
• Lead and support TCA cost reduction activities and VA/VE reviews of specific components to identify cost reduction opportunities, quality improvements, and lead-time reductions.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives that drive improvements in Quality, Delivery and Cost.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBR) with strategic suppliers, including delivery, quality, and cost performance review (supplier scorecard analysis)
• Manage/Negotiate supplier quotations and calculate landed cost; ensure projects meet targeted budget.
• Implement and maintain the PFEP (Plan For Every Part) and/or other relevant procurement metrics and data for assigned purchased components.
• Review all ECO’s to support the effectivity of all new parts to be phased in, old parts to be phased out, and part revisions with the goal of minimizing obsolete inventory.
• Provide timely and detailed communications to the supply base regarding quality, delivery, and warranty issues.
• Support NPD through the development of S.O.W. specifications, RFP’s, and supplier selection, ensuring all Purchasing/Sourcing deliverables are met throughout each phase.
• Support new tooling requirements, prototypes, PPAP’s, pre-production requirements, and production launch timelines.
• Visit supplier manufacturing facilities to conduct audits, verify capabilities, and build relationships.

Qualifications

Education / Experience:

• BS/BA degree in Business/Finance or Engineering (advanced degree preferred)
• 1 or more of below certifications (Preferred):
  • P.M.
  • CPSM
  • CPIM
  • Project Management
  • Lean Six Sigma Black belt / Greenbelt
• 5 years of progressive Procurement experience with at least 2 years of buying experience in a high volume, highly engineered environment.
• Exposure to international sourcing experience.
• Project/program management experience in a supply chain, procurement, product development, or manufacturing environment with an understanding of Sourcing, Materials Management, and Logistics.
• Experience in one or more of the following Categories: Aluminum, Steel, Stampings & Fabrications, Plastics, Resin & Fiberglass, Packaging, Sourced Finished Goods.

Skills:

• Must be self-motivated, organized, and able to adapt quickly to changing project demands with the ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• High level of analytical ability required to develop and maintain project plans while balancing workloads for a large number of projects.
• Strong negotiation skills, excellent communication skills, prior experience in implementing cost reduction programs, interpersonal, and facilitation skills required to interact with all levels of management, cross-functional teams, and suppliers.
• Excellent negotiation and cost management skills a must.
• Proven ability to lead, influence, and motivate team members in a highly matrixed and cross functional environment.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail required.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple duties and projects.
• Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Strong ability to drive and execute change.
• Willingness to accept new responsibilities.

EEO Statement

WernerCo is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. WernerCo is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants to WernerCo are considered for employment without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic. WernerCo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind based on these characteristics.