Strategic Sourcing Specialist (US)

As a Strategic Sourcing Specialist at Fictiv, your role will revolve around sourcing, qualifying, and managing the distribution of work across our network of U.S. Manufacturing Partners. You'll be responsible for onboarding new partners, evaluating their capabilities, managing relationships, negotiating service agreements, and implementing supplier development initiatives—all aimed at ensuring we deliver the best to our customers.

To qualify for the Strategic Sourcing Specialist position at Fictiv, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing or related fields, a minimum BS degree in mechanical engineering, supply chain management, or business administration, and a strong familiarity with supplier management. Excellent communication and negotiation skills are also essential to thrive in this role.

The ideal Strategic Sourcing Specialist at Fictiv will possess fantastic interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to handle complex negotiations, strong analytical capabilities, and excellent project management skills. Additionally, being a self-starter and detail-oriented is crucial, as the role involves making important decisions and managing relationships effectively.

This role requires an average of 25-50% travel, primarily domestic, to meet with our Manufacturing Partners on-site. These visits are vital for relationship building, assessing partner capabilities, and ensuring alignment on strategic objectives. Engaging directly with suppliers allows for rich insights that are key to driving long-term success.

Fictiv is at the cutting edge of transforming manufacturing with its approach to integrating technology and partnerships. As a Strategic Sourcing Specialist, you'll become part of a dynamic team that prioritizes collaboration and growth while revolutionizing how hardware is produced. The company also offers great perks such as competitive insurance, a 401K plan, monthly stipends, and an inclusive work culture that values diverse perspectives.

When discussing your experience with supplier onboarding, focus on specific examples of how you've sourced, evaluated, and selected suppliers. Highlight the criteria you used to assess alignment with company goals and the strategies you employed to facilitate effective onboarding processes.

Managing relationships with multiple suppliers requires strong organizational skills. Explain your approach to regular communication, including virtual meetings and on-site visits, to keep suppliers aligned with your organization’s objectives and to foster a sense of partnership.

In your answer, emphasize your negotiation strategies, such as preparing data-driven proposals, understanding the supplier's position, and seeking win-win outcomes. Discuss the importance of maintaining good relationships while also ensuring that the terms are beneficial for your company.

Discuss the importance of clear documentation and open communication in maintaining transparency. You could mention implementing tracking systems or utilizing software tools that help you monitor spend and supplier performance over time.

Be ready to share a specific example of a supplier development project, detailing its objectives, your role in implementing it, and the outcomes. Highlight how you collaborated with internal teams to improve supplier capabilities and meet customer needs.

Respond with an example of a challenge you encountered, such as capacity issues or quality concerns with a supplier. Describe the steps you took to address the issue, focusing on how you maintained communication and worked together with the supplier to find a solution.

You might detail resources such as industry publications, workshops, and networking events that you utilize to stay informed. Mention any certifications you have obtained or are pursuing that contribute to your knowledge and skills in strategic sourcing.

In your response, emphasize your criteria for evaluating new suppliers, including their technical capabilities, financial stability, production capacity, and quality assurance processes. Discuss how you gather this information, perhaps through site visits or previous supplier relations.

Share an example that illustrates your collaboration with teams such as product management, quality assurance, or engineering. Focus on how you effectively communicated shared objectives, maintained clarity on roles, and aligned everyone toward achieving project goals.

Your answer should convey passion for the role and appreciation for Fictiv's mission. Discuss what attracts you to the company, such as its innovative use of technology in manufacturing and commitment to transforming the industry, and how your background and goals align with this mission.