Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Overview

This is not a transactional purchasing or PO-processing role.

A firm in Indianapolis is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join a fast-growing specialty chemicals organization with a global supplier footprint. This is a high-impact, hands-on role focused on raw-material sourcing, supplier strategy, cost analysis, and market intelligence
.

The right person will act as a center of excellence for select raw materials — bringing analytical horsepower, vendor curiosity, and the confidence to influence decisions across sourcing, logistics, technical, and leadership teams.

If you enjoy understanding why materials cost what they cost
, where supply risk lives, and how to build smarter sourcing strategies, this role will feel like a step up.

• Leading strategic sourcing efforts for raw materials used across multiple business units
• Researching, vetting, and onboarding new domestic and international suppliers
• Supporting supplier negotiations through cost modeling, benchmarking, and market analysis
• Tracking commodity trends, tariffs, and cost drivers that impact pricing and availability
• Preparing sourcing recommendations, cost breakdowns, and supplier comparisons for leadership
• Acting as a go-to resource for specific materials, markets, or supplier categories
• Collaborating cross-functionally with logistics, technical teams, product management, and executives
• Supporting forecasting initiatives and providing market intelligence tied to supply and pricing risk

• Experience in strategic sourcing or purchasing of raw materials, chemicals, or industrial goods
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate suppliers, analyze costs, and support sourcing decisions
• Strong analytical skills related to pricing, cost structures, and landed-cost considerations
• Comfort picking up the phone to work directly with suppliers
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment
• Willingness to work on-site in the Indianapolis area

• Exposure to specialty chemicals, additives, polymers, or advanced materials
• International sourcing experience
• Familiarity with tariffs, Incoterms, or global supply-chain dynamics
• ERP experience (any modern system; flexibility matters more than brand)

• This is a strategic role
  , not clerical purchasing
• You’ll influence sourcing direction, not just execute orders
• High visibility to senior leadership and cross-functional teams
• Opportunity to help build and shape sourcing capability as the company grows
• Entrepreneurial culture where people pitch in and “that’s not my job” doesn’t fly
• Competitive base salary aligned with experience
• Target annual bonus opportunity
• Full-time, on-site role with long-term growth potential