Strategic Sourcing Manager – Vendor Development

LAPP is a family-owned company headquartered in Stuttgart and a global leader in cable and connection technology. Founded in 1959, we are still fully family-owned today. With around 5,800 employees, we are operating in over 80 countries - globally connected and regionally rooted. Working at LAPP means more: this is where inventive spirit and a hands-on mentality meet cherished values and tradition.

We offer all employees the freedom to develop and pursue new opportunities. Flexibility and personal responsibility are just as important to us as a family-friendly work environment. We value all our colleagues with their talents, ideas and perspectives.

Summary: The individual in this role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that ensure a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality supply base supporting the company's wire, cable, and harness manufacturing operations. This role will lead supplier identification, qualification, development, and performance management initiatives while driving cost reduction, supply continuity, quality improvements, and innovation across critical categories.

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct materials, including electrical components, wire/cable, plastics, metals, and assemblies.
• Conduct spend analysis and category reviews to identify cost savings, optimize supplier selection (RFx), and align multi-year strategies with growth and margin goals.
• Drive supplier rationalization and consolidation initiatives to optimize the supply base.

• Identify, qualify, and onboard high-performing suppliers aligned with quality, delivery, cost, and technology standards.
• Lead supplier audits, capability assessments, scorecard programs, and routine performance reviews.
• Cultivate strategic supplier partnerships and execute development plans to improve quality, capacity, responsiveness, and on-time delivery.

• Drive year-over-year cost reduction initiatives and lead commercial negotiations for pricing, rebates, and contracts.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations on VA/VE, design-to-cost, make-vs-buy evaluations, and alternate material sourcing.

• Assess supply chain and geopolitical risks, establishing dual-sourcing, continuity, and contingency plans.
• Monitor key commodity trends (copper, aluminum, precious metals, plastics/resins, electronics) to proactively mitigate market exposure.

• Partner across Engineering, Quality, Operations, NPI, and Program Management to ensure sourcing aligns with product launches and schedules.
• Ensure supplier governance and compliance with quality frameworks (ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949) and regulatory standards (ITAR/EAR, RoHS, REACH, Conflict Minerals).

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with other departments within the organization to achieve stated objectives regarding revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills and can prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Looking for ways to improve and promote quality applies feedback to performance.
• Must be a self-starter and possess the ability to work independently and use time efficiently.
• Upholds organizational values, adheres to company policies & procedures and maintains a professional appearance.

• Minimum of 5 years' work experience in category/commodity management, preferably in Cables & Harnesses and in complex organizations
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Business Management or related field from regionally accredited University.
• 3+ years of experience in Sourcing/Purchasing, Materials management and/or Production Planning
• APICS certificate, preferred.
• SAP Proficient.
• Proficient in excel with high level of skill and…