Supply Base Manager

Position Overview

Tree Top Staffing LLC is partnering with an established manufacturer to identify a Supply Base Manager for a full-time, direct hire opportunity in Vernon Hills, Illinois. This position requires working onsite each workday and is an individual contributor role with no direct reports.

The Supply Base Manager manages supplier partnerships to obtain the best overall value in components and services. The position provides value-added support to product and project teams, improves supplier performance, and balances component availability, cost, and inventory requirements to support manufacturing and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend and support assigned product and project team activities, providing functional technical input and contributing to cross-functional problem solving.
• Measure and improve supply base performance using quality and materials management techniques.
• Assess the competitiveness of assigned commodities and suppliers to ensure overall value to the company and its customers.
• Manage supplier relationships for technical components, working with the manufacturing facility to understand demand, maintain availability, and avoid excess inventory.
• Maintain purchasing system integrity to support prompt supplier payments and accurate inventory records.
• Work with Accounting to ensure timely payment of supplier invoices.
• Provide strategic direction on supply base management at the divisional level and through cross-division councils.
• Use value analysis, value engineering, and other appropriate techniques to achieve material cost reduction goals.
• Assist the manufacturing facility with component shortages as needed.
• Maintain expertise in assigned commodity areas and stay current on emerging approaches and practices.
• Provide input and direction to the department's overall strategy.
• Fulfill the financial control and risk management responsibilities inherent in the position and conduct business in accordance with the company's code of ethics.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree with a mechanical or technical focus.
• Purchasing experience involving metal, electrical, or mechanical components used in manufactured products.
• Experience sourcing or managing technically complex components such as motors, electronic control boards, water pumps, HVAC controls, relays, transformers, capacitors, or similar items.
• Team-oriented approach and relevant quality and problem-solving training.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to improve quality, delivery, cost, and material availability.

Travel and Physical Requirements

• Travel of 25% or more, including overnight stays.
• Some light lifting, bending, and squatting may be required.
• Approximately 30% of working time may involve keyboarding.

Benefits

• Medical and prescription drug coverage with multiple plan options.
• Dental and vision coverage options.
• Employer Health Savings Account contributions for eligible high-deductible medical plan participants.
• Healthcare and dependent-care Flexible Spending Account options, subject to plan eligibility.
• Employee assistance and financial wellness resources.
• Voluntary life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance options.

For eligible new hires who enroll on time, health coverage begins on the first day of the month following the date of hire.