The position of Sourcing Agents exists within LORD Corporation’s Global Divisional Supply Chain organizations. Within the Sourcing function, there are two Agent roles; the Senior Sourcing Agent and Sourcing Agent positions, differentiated by levels of autonomy, qualifications and experience. This position is responsible for management of assigned commodities and is being developed to serve as the authority within those commodities for the company. Sourcing Agents are considered as capable practitioners in purchase category management techniques and are developing commercial experts. These professionals are capable of translating corporation objectives and needs into commodity-specific market actions. The Agents are tasked with balancing supply risk with cost improvement opportunities; developing competitive advantages for LORD with the guidance of the Sourcing Manager. This position is accountable for managing the supply base for assigned commodities, and assigned programmatic responsibilities. The ability to interpret the marketplace, regional supplier competitiveness, global economics and applicable index trends are critical to creating a competitive advantage for the business. In addition to commodity management, the Agent will be the lead for several internal programs, assuring stability, adherence to policy and process, and responsiveness to the internal customer. The Agent is responsible for delivering cost improvement goals for the assigned categories, and the deployment of various contracting vehicles to secure negotiated results and improve cost predictability. The Sourcing Agent actively supports the efforts of the Global Divisional Sourcing Team, a team of Sourcing Agents representing each of the global production facilities and/or regions.. The Agent will mentor and assist the team in development of strategy, goals, and progress plans to meet the team goals.

Develop and coordinate global commodity strategies and enact plans with international colleagues.

Drive supplier selection, approval, and performance management processes

Plan and achieve cost and DPO improvement goals.

Actively monitor and address supplier risk issues collaborative with the Global Divisional Sourcing Team

Implement contracts, long-term agreements, and other legal documents as required

Manage government and trade compliance activities for assigned commodities.

Assist location buyers, buyers/planners with resolution of supplier tactical issues.

Daily supplier management routines within LORD SAP system.

Nominate and participate in lean manufacturing (kaizen) events.

Qualifications

Three to five years work experience with a minimum of two years direct experience in category management and contracts management.

Undergraduate degree in Sourcing, , Supply Chain, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline in similar sized or larger firms.

Fluent in Microsoft Office suite.

Proficient in SAP and BI.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Presentation skills well-developed.

Capable of detailed analysis and use of decision-support tools. Demonstrates decision-making as a matter of fact and data to support course of action.

Skilled in commercial code, business terms and conditions, development of contracts and other business legal documents.

Skillful negotiator; planning, conducting, and achieving desired results.

Knowledge of global sourcing techniques and ability to work with different cultures, varying terms and conditions, currency differences, etc.

Preferred

Maintains an appropriate network of industry and professional liaisons.

APICS, ASQ, or ISM certification.

Experience in global chemical sourcing.

International assignments.

Bi-lingual or multi-lingual.

Advanced degree in Sourcing, , Supply Chain, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.

Cross-functional experience in Operations, Manufacturing, Sales/Marketing, Finance, Accounting, or Engineering.

Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations. (“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”) If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf and http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_gina_supplement.pdf

Drug-Free Workplace In accordance with Parker’s policies and applicable state laws, Parker provides for a drug-free workplace. Therefore, all applicants seeking employment with Parker will be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment.