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Role Description As a Strategic Sourcing Specialist at Kimbal, you will play a critical role in building a robust, cost-effective, and reliable supply base for mechanical commodities that power our next-generation smart metering products. You will lead end-to-end sourcing activities covering supplier identification, development, tooling, new product introductions, cost optimization, and supplier performance management. The role demands a strong blend of technical understanding of manufacturing processes and commercial acumen to drive quality, cost, delivery, and innovation across the supply chain. Key Responsibilities - Drive strategic sourcing and supplier development for mechanical commodities including plastics, sheet metal, fasteners, packaging, and related components. - Lead supplier selection, qualification, and new supplier development to strengthen Kimbal's supply ecosystem. - Ensure timely development of recent projects by coordinating supplier readiness, tooling, PPAP approvals, and quality validations. - Drive component re-development and localization initiatives while ensuring uninterrupted mass production supplies. - Identify and execute cost optimization opportunities through value engineering, supplier negotiations, and commercial excellence. - Manage tooling development, tooling investments, lifecycle tracking, and tooling cost optimization. - Build strong supplier relationships while continuously improving supplier performance on quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness. - Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and New Product Development teams to ensure successful product launches and sustained production. Job Requirements Experience - 5-8 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Direct Procurement, or Supplier Development. - Experience in the Metering, Automotive, Consumer Durables/FMCD, or related manufacturing industries. Technical Skills - Strong understanding of Injection Moulding manufacturing processes. - Hands-on experience in tooling development and tooling lifecycle management. - Expertise in ZBC (Zero-Based Costing) for mechanical commodities. - Strong supplier development and supplier quality management experience. - Excellent commercial negotiation and cost management capabilities. - Understanding of PPAP processes and new product development. - Knowledge of plastics, sheet metal, fasteners, packaging, and other mechanical commodity sourcing. .