Sourcing Engineer - Plastics & rubber

Responsibilities

• Supplier Identification & Evaluation
• Research and qualify suppliers specializing in plastics, elastomers, rubber compounds, and molded components.
• Conduct technical and commercial assessments, including factory audits and capability reviews.
• Cost Analysis & Negotiation
• Perform cost breakdown analysis for injection molding, extrusion and compounding processes.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and tooling costs with suppliers to achieve target cost objectives.
• Commodity Strategy Development
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with company goals for plastics and rubber categories.
• Monitor market trends, resin price fluctuations, and regulatory changes affecting material availability or cost.
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Work closely with design, NPD, quality, and manufacturing teams to influence material selection and supplier decisions.
• Support engineering change management and ensure timely supplier readiness for new product introductions.
• Quality & Compliance Assurance
• Ensure suppliers meet quality standards (e.g., ISO, IATF) and comply with environmental regulations.
• Address non-conformances and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions with suppliers.
• Risk Management & Sustainability
• Identify supply risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Promote sustainable sourcing practices.
• Documentation & Process Management
• Manage RFQs, NDAs, supplier onboarding, and contract execution.
• Maintain accurate records of supplier performance, cost tracking, and sourcing decisions.
• Specialized Knowledge Areas
• Injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, and rubber vulcanization processes.
• Material families like PP, ABS, PC, EPDM, NBR, and silicone rubber.
• Tooling and mold cost estimation, cycle time optimization, and DFM (Design for Manufacturability).

The ideal candidate requires