Strategic Sourcing Manager - Advanced Materials

Strategic Sourcing Manager – Advanced Materials

Workplace Type
:
On-site

Employment Type
:
Full-time

Compensation: $85,000–$115,000 annually, depending on experience

Stanford Advanced Materials is a global supplier of high-purity metals, refractory metals, rare-earth materials, advanced ceramics, powders, sputtering targets, crystals and custom-manufactured components. We serve customers across aerospace, defense, semiconductor, medical, energy, electronics, industrial manufacturing and scientific research markets.

Our work often begins with a complex customer requirement that cannot be fulfilled through a standard catalog. We identify qualified manufacturers, evaluate technical and commercial feasibility, coordinate custom production and help customers secure specialized materials from reliable global supply chains.

Stanford Advanced Materials is seeking a resourceful and commercially minded Strategic Sourcing Manager to develop and manage our supplier network for advanced materials and custom-manufactured components.

This is not primarily a transactional purchasing or purchase-order administration role. The successful candidate will investigate complex sourcing requirements, identify capable manufacturers, develop non-China and alternate-country supply channels, negotiate competitive commercial terms and work closely with Sales to convert customer inquiries into viable supply solutions.

The position requires persistence, sound judgment and strong communication. Many assignments involve niche materials, incomplete market information, export restrictions, demanding technical specifications or suppliers that are difficult to identify. The right candidate will know how to ask effective questions, locate the correct technical and commercial contacts and develop supplier relationships that create long-term value.

• Source high-purity metals, refractory metals, specialty alloys, rare-earth materials, advanced ceramics, powders, crystals and custom-manufactured components.
• Develop a reliable global supplier network, with a strong emphasis on U.S., European, Japanese, South Korean, Indian and other non-China sources.
• Identify and communicate directly with manufacturers, mills, refiners, processors, machine shops and specialized coating or fabrication companies.
• Evaluate whether prospective suppliers manufacture products directly or operate as distributors or intermediaries.
• Review customer specifications, drawings, standards and application requirements to determine sourcing feasibility.
• Work with Sales to identify missing technical, commercial and end-use information before submitting requests to suppliers.
• Prepare complete RFQ packages and obtain pricing, MOQ, production capacity, lead time, country of origin, shipping terms and payment terms.
• Request and review COAs, COCs, material traceability, quality certifications and representative technical documentation.
• Compare supplier quotations based on total landed cost, technical compliance, quality, capacity, risk and delivery—not price alone.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, production schedules, volume agreements and long-term supply arrangements.
• Develop continuous relationships with strategic suppliers instead of relying only on one-time quotations.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, sourcing status, follow-up dates and decisions within the company’s CRM and procurement systems.
• Coordinate with Sales, Operations, Logistics, Quality and Finance throughout the sourcing and order process.
• Identify supply-chain risks involving country of origin, export controls, tariffs, geopolitical restrictions and single-source dependency.
• Support U.S. aerospace and defense requirements involving DFARS, ITAR, domestic sourcing and controlled technical data when applicable.
• Protect customer confidentiality and ensure that drawings and technical information are shared only through authorized processes.
• Monitor market pricing, availability, capacity changes and emerging alternate sources for strategic materials.
• Escalate sourcing obstacles early and present practical alternatives to internal stakeholders.
• Support…