Indirect Sourcing Lead

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy‑efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications.

A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

The Indirect Sourcing Lead will be responsible for the implementation and feedback of the MRO management process across assigned North American manufacturing facilities, design, implement, and audit sourcing initiatives for assigned indirect commodities, and contribute or identify continuous improvements across assigned North American manufacturing facilities along with the competitive supply chain related to assigned MRO commodities and Services for North American manufacturing facilities.

• Initiate, develop, benchmark, and recognize strategic opportunities to maximize value realization opportunities within the MRO commodity and related material & services categories.
• Ensure all Global Procurement guidelines and procedures are followed while working with manufacturing site personnel and suppliers on both new and existing goods and services.
• Work with multi‑functional teams including facility maintenance, material planning & buying, manufacturing & operations, product engineering & testing, finance, and other supply chain resources (as business needs dictate) to ensure consistent execution of standard MRO material management processes to mitigate risk of MRO material availability and maximize value realization opportunities within North American business units and their respective facilities.
• Develop and maintain strong understanding of MRO commodity applications (materials & services) within manufacturing & operations, and product engineering & testing facilities.
• Develop and maintain good communications and working relationships with internal customers & key stakeholders concerning their respective use of MRO materials & services.
• Provide timely follow‑up & response (as needed) to MRO commodity inquiries, MRO material & services availability & supply challenges, and value realization initiatives & related negotiations.
• Assemble and run complex RFQ events in support of MRO Commodity Strategies.
• Establish & mature strong communication protocols and working relationships with internal customers & key stakeholders, and coordinate (as required) with assigned categories and geographies.
• Meet and/or exceed all supply chain cost reduction objectives associated with MRO commodity related materials & services, with personal goals & objectives defined to align & support overall Global Supply Chain objectives.
• Develop strong knowledge & vendor relationships concerning all facets of the MRO material supply chain (from MRO supplier sources to end customer MRO material & services usage). Commodities will span from local to national. Assigned facilities will require strong relationships with local providers and feedback to the overall commodity team.
• Demonstrate experience, knowledge & skill set associated with manual and/or computer‑based ERP systems supporting MRO stockroom management processes including inventory accuracy, consumption & replenishment processes, etc.

• Bachelor's degree in business, or related field. MBA a plus.
• 4+ years of experience in a purchasing function as a Senior Buyer or Purchasing responsibilities with clearly demonstrated achievements.

• ISM or APICS Certification, a plus.
• Willingness to travel.
• Capital Procurement Management experience, a plus.
• Excellent record of successful strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Excellent application of negotiating skills.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to serve as a project lead across multiple functional areas.
• Impeccable moral character with high ethical standards.
• Excel…