Supply Chain Specialist

Igus Bearings Inc•East Providence, RI

13h

About The Position

The Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing a high‑performing supply base that meets the organization’s requirements for cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and sustainability. This role combines strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure a reliable and competitive supply chain. The Supply Chain Specialist acts as a key liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders such as Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Finance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
5+ years of experience in purchasing, supplier development, supply chain, or sourcing.
Experience working in manufacturing, industrial, automotive, aerospace, or similar environments preferred.
Proven negotiation and supplier management experience.
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Power BI is a plus).
Travel availability for supplier visits (typically 10–25%).

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.
Ability to read technical drawings and specifications (preferred).

Responsibilities

Evaluate and select suppliers based on capability, capacity, performance history, and alignment with company standards.
Develop supplier improvement plans focused on cost reduction, quality enhancement, and lead‑time reduction.
Conduct supplier audits (onsite or remote) to assess operational capabilities and compliance.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs such as on‑time delivery, fill rate, quality defects, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
Drive root‑cause analysis and corrective actions with suppliers to resolve performance issues.
Identifyand qualify new suppliers to support business growth, risk mitigation, and cost‑down strategies.
Negotiate contract terms, pricing, service levels, and long‑term agreements with suppliers.
Analyze market trends, commodity price movements, and supply risks to support sourcing decisions.
Support cost modeling, benchmarking, quoting, and competitive bidding processes.
Partner with Product Management & Engineering to support new product introductions, materialqualification, and manufacturability improvements.
Collaborate with Quality on supplier audits, PPAPs, certifications, and defect mitigation.
Work with Operations to ensure uninterrupted supply flow and resolve production-related material issues.
Identifysupply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies (dual‑sourcing, inventory buffers, quality gates).