Sourcing Lead Buyer

Overview: Position Summary : The Sourcing Lead Buyer is responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives for complex engineered commodities including precision machined components, castings, forgings, weldments, electrical assemblies, and other critical engineered materials supporting Nikkiso CEIG operations. This role focuses on identifying, developing, qualifying, and managing a robust global supplier base, with a strong emphasis on dual sourcing strategies, supplier development, and supply risk mitigation. The position requires deep technical understanding of engineering drawings, manufacturing processes, and quality requirements to effectively evaluate supplier capabilities and ensure suppliers can meet the organization's cost, quality, delivery, and compliance standards. The Sourcing Lead Buyer works closely with Engineering, Quality & Manufacturing to drive sourcing strategies that support operational continuity, long-term growth, and supply chain resilience.

This position is based at Nikkiso ACD located in Santa Ana, CA.

Responsibilities: Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for complex commodities including precision machining, castings, forgings, weldments, fabricated components, and electrical assemblies.
• Own multi-million-dollar global spend across machined castings, forgings, weldments, and precision components, aligning sourcing strategy with long-term growth, capacity planning, and operational objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers globally to expand the approved supplier base and reduce supply risk.
• Develop and execute dual-source and multi-source strategies for critical components to improve supply continuity and supplier capacity flexibility.
• Implement and maintain a structured "Keep, Grow & Exit" supplier segmentation framework to optimize supplier performance, strengthen strategic partnerships, and phase out underperforming suppliers.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments including technical capability, manufacturing processes, equipment, certifications, and financial stability.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality teams to support supplier qualification, first article inspections, and production readiness.

Technical Sourcing & Supplier Capability Evaluation

• Interpret and review engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing requirements to ensure suppliers fully understand design intent and manufacturing expectations.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities including CNC machining, welding, casting processes, electrical assembly, fabrication, and specialized testing requirements.
• Ensure suppliers can meet complex technical requirements, regulatory standards, and industry certifications when applicable.
• Work with suppliers to improve manufacturability, reduce lead times, increase capacity, and improve cost competitiveness.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers to support long-term business partnerships.
• Lead global supplier development initiatives focused on improving on-time delivery (OTD), lead time reduction, and supplier quality performance (PPM/NCR reduction).
• Negotiate long-term supply agreements including pricing structures, index-based pricing models, and contractual commitments to protect margins and improve supply stability.
• Implement structured supplier performance reviews and scorecards to drive accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Supply Chain Risk Management

• Monitor supplier capacity, production constraints, and market conditions to proactively mitigate supply disruptions.
• Develop sourcing strategies to address single-source risks, long lead-time components, and constrained manufacturing capacity.
• Support contingency planning and supply continuity strategies for critical components.

Procurement & Operational Support

• Support procurement activities including RFQs, supplier negotiations, purchase order placement, and contract management when required.
• Manage multiple commodities and suppliers to ensure cost, quality, and delivery targets are achieved.
• Support inventory planning initiatives to maintain appropriate supply levels while minimizing excess inventory.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Management teams to align sourcing strategies with product development and production schedules.
• Support cross-site initiatives to standardize sourcing practices, supplier qualification processes, and procurement strategies across the business.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive sourcing best practices including supplier consolidation, cost reduction initiatives, and supply chain resilience improvements.
• Support the implementation of procurement systems, sourcing tools, and process improvements.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain through supplier collaboration and internal process optimization.

Qualifications: Knowledge and Critical Skills/Expertise:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred - extensive experience w/o Bachelor's degree will considered.
• 5+ years of sourcing or procurement experience in a manufacturing or engineered products environment.
• Proven experience sourcing complex machined components, castings, forgings, fabricated assemblies, or electrical systems.
• Demonstrated success in identifying and developing new suppliers and executing dual-source strategies.
• Experience working with engineering drawings and manufacturing specifications.
• Strong experience evaluating supplier manufacturing capabilities, equipment, and technical expertise.
• Technical Knowledge
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including CNC machining, casting, welding, forging, and fabrication.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, bills of materials, and technical specifications.
• Experience supporting supplier qualification and first article inspection processes.
• Strategic sourcing and supplier development
• Technical supplier evaluation
• Contract negotiation and cost analysis
• Supplier performance management
• Supply risk mitigation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as desktop computers and photocopiers.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Requires the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Requires ability to use a computer, type on keypad, and answer phones.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $100,000 per year.