Strategic Sourcing & Manufacturing Specialist
Kent Scientific Corporation
Fairview, TN
Full-Time
A Little Bit About Us
Kent Scientific Corporation has been a trusted leader in life science research solutions for more than 35 years. We design, manufacture, and distribute innovative instrumentation, monitoring systems, anesthesia equipment, electrophysiology products, and accessories used by researchers worldwide.
As Kent Scientific continues to grow, we are expanding our manufacturing and sourcing capabilities in Tennessee. Our goal is to strengthen our domestic manufacturing operations, improve supply chain performance, and bring additional product assembly and manufacturing capabilities in-house.
If you're passionate about sourcing, manufacturing, supplier development, and helping build something from the ground up, we'd love to meet you.
About the Role
Kent Scientific is seeking a Strategic Sourcing & Manufacturing Specialist to lead supplier development, strategic sourcing, procurement, product costing, and manufacturing support activities for our Tennessee operations.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional to make a lasting impact on the future of Kent Scientific. The successful candidate will help identify and develop new supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and supply agreements, support new product development, and help expand our in-house manufacturing capabilities.
As our Tennessee operations continue to grow, this position is expected to play a key role in developing product assembly operations and may evolve into leading a small manufacturing and assembly team responsible for producing Kent Scientific products.
This is not a traditional purchasing position. We are looking for someone who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, building supplier partnerships, improving product costs, and collaborating with engineering to bring innovative products from concept through production.
Key Responsibilities: Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development
- Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop domestic and international suppliers.
- Source raw materials, electronic components, machined parts, molded plastics, cable assemblies, packaging, and finished products.
- Develop strategic sourcing initiatives that improve supplier quality, lead times, and overall cost competitiveness.
- Research new manufacturing partners and technologies that support Kent Scientific's long-term growth.
- Build long-term supplier relationships focused on quality, reliability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Generate Requests for Quotations (RFQs) and Purchase Orders.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and commercial agreements.
- Monitor supplier performance and proactively resolve quality, pricing, or delivery issues.
- Identify alternate suppliers and equivalent components during supply chain disruptions.
- Manage supplier communications and support continuous supplier improvement initiatives.
Product Costing & Pricing
- Analyze supplier quotations and manufacturing costs.
- Review Bills of Materials (BOMs) and identify opportunities to reduce product costs.
- Monitor raw material pricing trends and recommend sourcing strategies.
- Support product pricing decisions through cost analysis and profitability evaluations.
- Assist leadership with cost modeling, margin analysis, and pricing recommendations.
Manufacturing Operations & Assembly Development
- Support the development and expansion of Kent Scientific's manufacturing operations in Tennessee.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to transition products from contract manufacturing to internal production.
- Develop assembly processes, manufacturing workflows, and production documentation.
- Evaluate tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment required for new product assembly.
- Coordinate sourcing activities that support electrophysiology products, anesthesia systems, monitoring equipment, and other scientific instrumentation.
- Support manufacturing readiness for new product introductions.
- As operations expand, assist in building, mentoring, and leading a small manufacturing and product assembly team while promoting quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, Customer Service, and Accounting.
- Utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to manage purchasing, supplier information, and product costs.
- Develop purchasing reports, cost analyses, and supplier performance metrics using Microsoft Excel.
- Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing and manufacturing operations.
QualificationsRequired
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, supply chain, or supplier development.
- Experience negotiating supplier pricing and commercial agreements.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain operations.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and data analysis.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- Experience sourcing electronic components, machined parts, plastics, electromechanical assemblies, and scientific instrumentation.
- Ability to read engineering drawings, technical specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI).
- Experience with contract manufacturers and transitioning products to in-house manufacturing.
- Leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing or assembly environment.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Healthcare benefits package
- Simple IRA with employer match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Collaborative, innovative, and growth-focused work environment
Why Join Kent Scientific?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future of Kent Scientific's manufacturing operations. You'll work directly with company leadership, engineering, and production teams to develop supplier partnerships, improve product costs, and expand our in-house manufacturing capabilities.
Your work will directly contribute to bringing innovative scientific products to researchers around the world while helping build the next phase of Kent Scientific's manufacturing operations in Tennessee.
Additional Information
Compensation is competitive and based on experience and qualifications.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Kent Scientific Corporation is unable to sponsor employment visas or provide employment-based immigration sponsorship now or in the future for this position.
Kent Scientific Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
