Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time

Positions: 4

Location: Columbia, MD

Reporting to: Procurement Director

About Us

At Tate we are passionate about everything we do. As an independent brand operating within Kingspan Group, a global plc group of companies, Tate has been recognized worldwide as an industry leader in the development and manufacture of data center infrastructure solutions and commercial office raised access floors, for over 60 years. With revenues of over $420m and growing, Tate plays a pivotal role in offering expertise in cutting edge design engineering in order to craft solutions, by working collaboratively with clients as a trusted partner.

Tate continues to grow and expand, operating multiple manufacturing and commercial sites across the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We are excited about our fresh, dynamic, and inclusive team of experts working on new innovations and forward-thinking designs, as we remain a market leading player within our industry. We continue to invest heavily in the best available manufacturing tools and equipment needed to adhere to Tate’s world class standards and in keeping with our Planet Passionate sustainability strategy, our focus is on having minimal climate impact.

We are excited to potentially welcome you as part of our team as we continue to grow on a worldwide scale.

About the Role

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is a strategic leader and subject matter expert responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across assigned categories. While this role has no direct reports, it provides leadership and influence to Tate’s plant buyers through dotted-line collaboration.

The Specialist will own category strategy, drive cost and risk management initiatives, and ensure a reliable supply base to support Tate’s growth. Success in this role requires strong cross-site influence, supplier relationship management, and consistent engagement with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

What You’ll Do

- Category Ownership – Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories (e.g., Metals, Aluminum, MRO, Logistics, Energy, Outsourced Manufacturing).

- Strategic Leadership – Act as a subject matter expert, guiding plant buyers and cross-functional teams without direct people management responsibilities.

- Supplier Management – Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers. Lead negotiations and contracts while measuring and driving supplier performance improvements.

- Market Analysis & Risk Mitigation – Monitor market conditions, cost drivers, and risks (tariffs, supply shortages, etc.) and propose strategies such as indexed pricing, dual sourcing, or hedging.

- Cross-Site Collaboration – Partner with buyers, operations, engineering, finance, and quality teams across multiple facilities to align sourcing with business objectives.

- Compliance & Sustainability – Ensure sourcing practices meet Tate and Kingspan standards, including the Code of Conduct, Compliance Policy, and Planet Passionate sustainability goals.

- Travel & Engagement – Conduct supplier visits and plant engagement (up to 40% travel) to strengthen partnerships and align sourcing strategies with operational needs.

What You’ll Bring

- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, or related field (required). Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, APICS are preferred.

- 5–7+ years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience in manufacturing or industrial sectors.

- Proven track record in supplier negotiations, cost modeling, and category strategy development.

- Experience working across multiple sites with dotted-line influence, driving alignment without direct authority.

- Skills: Strong analytical, communication, and relationship management skills, with the ability to deliver measurable results in cost, quality, and risk reduction.

Employee Benefits

- Career Scope and Advancement: As we grow, new positions and career opportunities arise, offering accelerated paths for the right candidates, locally and globally.

- World of Wellness Philosophy: We empower you to take charge of your health and well-being. You’ll have access to a wide range of medical, dental, and vision benefits, along with personalized guidance from a “Health Advocate.” We also offer other supplemental options, including 401k, legal, disability, and theft insurance, to ensure your financial wellness.

- Corporate Social Responsibility: Through Planet Passionate we are determined to reduce our manufacturing carbon (CO2e) emissions to as close to zero as technically possible, together with halving carbon intensity in our primary supply chain. We are very involved in our community, and you will have ample opportunities to support us in creating a better world.

- Skills Development: Given the dynamic pace of our business and a strong collaborative environment, your new role will be diverse and multifaceted – allowing you to be more versatile and develop a broader skill set.

- Mentorship and development: At Tate, we don’t believe in hierarchy, we work together as one team for one common goal. You will have access and exposure to our senior leaders and experts for learning in your role, and additionally mentorship for the future.

- Culture: We have a great team culture, highly collaborative, supportive, and social. Together we innovate, collaborate, take ownership, and strive for excellence.

Tate is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn for insights into life at Tate. Join us in our mission to make a difference through exceptional solutions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.