Sourcing Manager

Job Title: Sourcing Manager

Company: Richardson Electronics, Ltd.

Type: Full time

Job Description:

The Sourcing Manager is a hands-on individual contributor responsible for developing and executing sourcing solutions that support new engineering projects, alternate-source development, supply-chain continuity, and cost-reduction initiatives. The position works closely with Engineering, Quality, Materials, Purchasing, Planning, and Operations to identify and develop suppliers that meet technical, quality, cost, capacity, and delivery requirements. The Sourcing Manager owns sourcing projects from supplier identification and quotation through commercial analysis, qualification, negotiation, purchase order placement when needed, and implementation.

Job Responsibilities:

New Product & Engineering Sourcing

Partner with Engineering on sourcing requirements for new products, prototypes, new projects, product changes, and customer-specific requirements.

Identify suppliers with the technical capability, quality systems, capacity, lead time, and cost structure required for engineered components.

Issue and manage requests for quotation (RFQs), analyze supplier responses, and prepare sourcing recommendations.

Support prototype, sample, tooling, and qualification purchases required for new product introduction and Engineering projects.

Alternate Sourcing & Supply-Chain Risk

Lead alternate-source development for LAM and other customer requirements when supply risk, single-source dependency, lead time, capacity, supplier performance, obsolescence, or cost creates business risk.

Research and develop qualified alternate suppliers to improve supply continuity and reduce dependence on constrained or underperforming sources.

Coordinate with Engineering and Quality through supplier and part qualification, including samples, testing, documentation, approvals, and implementation follow-up.

Maintain sourcing project status and escalate risks that could affect customer delivery or production continuity.

Cost Analysis & Cost Reduction

Analyze supplier quotations and calculate procurement costs to support sourcing decisions.

Develop cost comparisons, should-cost considerations, and business cases that evaluate price, tooling, freight, minimum order quantities, lead time, inventory impact, and other relevant costs.

Research supplier markets, material costs, manufacturing methods, and industry conditions that may affect procurement cost or availability.

Identify, quantify, implement, and track cost-reduction opportunities through competitive sourcing, negotiations, alternate suppliers or materials, volume leverage, and commercial-term improvements.

Supplier Development & Negotiation

Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers and manufacturing sources.

Negotiate pricing, tooling, lead times, minimum order quantities, payment terms, capacity commitments, and other commercial requirements.

Develop strong working relationships with existing and prospective suppliers while maintaining appropriate commercial accountability.

Work with suppliers to identify opportunities to improve cost, lead time, manufacturability, capacity, quality, and supply continuity.

Purchasing & Implementation

Place purchase orders for prototypes, samples, qualifications, tooling, new sourcing initiatives, and production requirements as needed.

Support Purchasing with complex supplier negotiations, commercial issues, shortages, and sourcing challenges.

Ensure newly qualified sources are transitioned into normal purchasing processes with appropriate pricing, lead times, sourcing documentation, and supplier information.

Support urgent sourcing requirements caused by supply-chain disruptions, customer needs, or supplier constraints.

Cross-Functional Project Management

Lead sourcing projects across Engineering, Quality, Materials, Purchasing, Planning, Operations, and suppliers.

Establish project priorities, timelines, ownership, and follow-up actions to keep sourcing and qualification activities moving.

Communicate project status, risks, savings opportunities, supplier recommendations, and decisions to management and stakeholders.

Maintain sourcing records including RFQs, quote comparisons, supplier selections, cost-reduction calculations, qualification status, and implementation plans.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualification Requirements:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Approximately 5+ years of progressive experience in sourcing, purchasing, procurement, supplier development, or manufacturing supply chain.

Experience sourcing manufactured, engineered, or technical components and working from drawings, specifications, or detailed customer requirements.

Experience managing RFQs, comparing supplier quotations, analyzing procurement costs, and negotiating supplier commercial terms.

Working knowledge of purchase orders, purchasing processes, supplier management, and ERP/MRP systems.

Strong Excel, analytical, negotiation, project-management, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work independently and cross-functionally while managing multiple sourcing projects and priorities.

Preferred

Experience sourcing machined, fabricated, sheet metal, plastic, electronic, electromechanical, or other engineered components.

Experience developing and qualifying alternate suppliers in a manufacturing environment.

Experience supporting new product introduction, Engineering projects, or customer-driven sourcing projects.

Experience developing total-cost-of-ownership analyses, cost-reduction business cases, and measurable savings initiatives.

Professional procurement or supply-chain certification such as CPSM or CSCP is beneficial but not required.

Working Environment: Clean, well-lit, air-conditioned area. Must be very safety oriented in the use of all machinery.

About Richardson Electronics: Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions, power grid and microwave tubes, and related consumables; power conversion and RF and microwave components including green energy solutions; high-value replacement parts, tubes, and service training for diagnostic imaging equipment; and customized display solutions. More than 60% of our products are manufactured in LaFox, Illinois, Marlborough, Massachusetts, or Donaueschingen, Germany, or by one of our manufacturing partners throughout the world. All our partners manufacture to our strict specifications and adhere to our supplier terms and conditions. We serve customers in the alternative energy, healthcare, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific, and semiconductor markets. The Company’s strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and “engineered solutions” based on our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The Company provides solutions and adds value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, logistics, and aftermarket technical service and repair through its global infrastructure. More information is available at www.rell.com.

Our manufacturing facility operates under lean manufacturing principles, which means we are focused on efficiency, continuous improvement, and meeting customer demand in real time. As part of our team, you may be asked to flex between different areas or responsibilities depending on production needs. This flexibility is key to how we maintain a responsive, high-performing operation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

Richardson Electronics is an international organization with offices worldwide. We are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees have equal opportunities to succeed, grow, and contribute. We believe in creating an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and supported. By promoting fairness, inclusivity, and a culture of mutual respect, we ensure that our employees, customers, and the communities we serve can achieve their goals. Our ability to bring together individuals with diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our continued global success.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

*Must be authorized to work in the US.

Required postings:

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Employer Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Know Your Rights

Invitation to Self-Identify

Pay Range: $100,000 to $115,000 per year plus incentive

Benefits: Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance with multiple PPO and HSA plan options, as well as dental and vision coverage. We offer flexible spending accounts (FSA), life insurance, voluntary life insurance, short- and long-term disability (STD & LTD), an employee assistance program (EAP), smoking cessation support, weight management program, pet insurance, LifeLock identity protection, and a 401(k)-retirement plan. Additionally, we provide generous vacation time, sick/personal days, 10 paid holidays, and tuition reimbursement to support ongoing education and work-life balance.