Sourcing and Procurement Specialist - Co. Cavan

Sourcing and Procurement Specialist - County Cavan

Role Overview

The Sourcing Specialist is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for critical materials and components used in the production of oil-filled distribution transformers. The role ensures the organisation secures reliable and cost-effective supply of transformer-grade materials while maintaining required standards for quality, compliance, and delivery performance.

The Sourcing Specialist works closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Procurement teams to support both tactical purchasing requirements and long-term strategic sourcing initiatives.

The position also involves monitoring market developments, identifying new suppliers, and supporting the introduction of innovative and more sustainable materials to enhance product performance and manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for transformer-specific components (e.g., electrical steel, copper conductors, core components, coils, tap changers, radiators, valves, gaskets, insulating materials, transformer oil and related hardware).
• Develop category-level sourcing strategies to optimise total cost, ensure continuity of supply, and reduce lead-time variability.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor supplier performance including delivery, quality, and cost metrics.
• Implement corrective actions and improvement initiatives where supplier performance does not meet expectations.
• Conduct market analysis and should-cost modelling to support negotiation strategies and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Support long-term capacity planning with key suppliers to meet production forecasts.
• Reduce supply chain risk through strategies such as multi-sourcing, supplier development, and inventory buffering where appropriate.

Procurement & Commercial Negotiation

• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and supply agreements with suppliers to deliver cost savings and secure favourable contractual arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with agreed contractual terms and support renegotiations in response to market changes including fluctuations in metals, freight, and other commodities.
• Maintain sourcing documentation and supplier records to ensure accuracy, traceability, and compliance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering teams to support new product introductions, material specification reviews, and supplier technical evaluations.
• Collaborate with Planning and Operations teams to ensure supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, and production capacity align with operational requirements.
• Coordinate with Quality teams on supplier approvals, audits, change management, and resolution of non-conformance issues.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all sourcing activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Monitor supplier compliance with relevant standards such as ISO, ASTM, UL, and other applicable industry specifications.
• Manage supply continuity risks including material shortages, geopolitical factors, and logistics disruptions.
• Maintain sourcing documentation required for internal audits, regulatory reviews, and sustainability reporting.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyse supplier spend, cost drivers, quotations, and total cost of ownership.
• Develop and maintain sourcing dashboards to track supplier performance, cost savings, and lead-time performance.
• Monitor commodity market trends including steel, copper, oil, and freight and provide insight into potential impacts on supply and cost structures.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, or CPP are advantageous.
• Training in sustainability or ethical sourcing practices would also be beneficial.

Experience

• 3–5+ years’ experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Experience within heavy manufacturing or industrial environments is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with transformer materials and components such as electrical steel, copper windings, insulation materials, bushings, and related hardware would be advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Experience working with ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Strong proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing processes including RFx processes, supplier evaluation, and total cost of ownership analysis.
• Understanding of contract management, supplier negotiations, demand planning, and logistics coordination.
• Ability to analyse market indices and supplier performance data.

Key Competencies

• Strong negotiation and stakeholder communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills across multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel internationally as required.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Confidence in working with technical terminology and manufacturing processes.
• Willingness to develop a strong understanding of the production environment and the materials used.

Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery of cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Supplier on-time delivery and quality performance.
• Lead-time reduction and supply continuity improvements.
• Contract coverage and compliance.
• Support for engineering sourcing requests and new product introduction timelines.