Job Description

Job Summary:

The Sourcing Manager, as the China Sourcing Expert, plays a critical role in managing and enhancing our sourcing activities in China. This position is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, identifying, and managing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring continuity of supply while maintaining high standards of quality and cost efficiency. This role is a key leadership role in China needing close collaboration across, sourcing, quality, manufacturing engineering, contract manufacturers and the AESI global team. In this role you will also be leading the regional China Quality and Manufacturing Engineering managers.

This position is empowered to drive China initiatives that improve the overall product cost, quality, service customer experience. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead strategic sourcing initiatives and contribute to the growth and success of AESI. This position reports to the Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain and interfaces with the US based designed team for direction on quality standards, product requirements, and design.

Responsibilities:

• Sourcing Strategy: Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with company objectives and market conditions in China. Continuously evaluate and optimize supplier relationships to drive operational excellence.
• Supplier Identification and Management: Identify, evaluate, and partner with contract manufacturer to onboard new suppliers in China. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring they meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Negotiation and Contract Management: Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and contractual agreements. Monitor contract performance and enforce compliance to mitigate risks.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to optimize the supply chain network, improve lead times, and reduce costs. Implement best practices in inventory management and logistics.
• Cost Management: Drive cost reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations, value engineering, and process improvements. Monitor and analyze market trends and supplier performance to identify opportunities for savings.
• Risk Management: Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to safeguard the supply chain against disruptions, including geopolitical factors, natural disasters, and economic fluctuations.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor the China quality, manufacturing and supply chain professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement while partnering closely with the global team.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.
  
  

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, with a focus on China sourcing and supplier management.
• Proven track record of successfully managing supplier relationships and driving cost savings initiatives.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels.
• Comprehensive understanding of global supply chain dynamics, logistics, and procurement best practices.
• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in using sourcing tools and systems (e.g., ERP, supplier portals) to manage sourcing activities efficiently.
• Ability to network and influence at every organizational level.
• Experience with and knowledge of International Quality Systems is preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, approximately 25%.
  
  

Key Competencies:

• Working Safely: Demonstrates safe behaviors. Aware of potential risks and threats in the workplace.
• Influences Others: Has personal and organizational impact built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty. Flexes their style to direct, collaborate, or empower, as the situation requires.
• Focuses on Quality: Drives work results with a quality focus on actions and results.
• Decision Making & Analysis: Makes sound decisions based upon a mixture of data-driven analysis, expertise, experience, and judgment; collects relevant information, seeks input from others, and identifies connections and/or root causes of problems.
• Organization and Planning: Establishes a systematic course for self and/or others to assure accomplishment of objectives. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively.
• Delivers Results: Achievement oriented, feeling a sense of urgency to reach goals on time, if not before.
• Communications: Exchanges thoughts, feelings, and information effectively.
• Integrity: Acts and makes decisions in a manner consistent with the needs of the public in the delivery of products/services. Acts in line with the culture and norms of both the organization and society in general.
• Teamwork: Works cooperatively with others to accomplish team goals and organizational objectives.
  
  

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about in industrial environments, and on uneven terrain.
• Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments.
• The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud.
• May be required to recognize small numbers, letters, symbols, colors on prints, and/or operate field instruments/equipment.
• Visual acuity to follow hand signals, maintain logs and inspect and maintain machinery.
• The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations.
• Ability to wear personal protective gear correctly most of the day.
  
  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employee. Management reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter these duties, responsibilities, and skills at any time.