Highlights
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual’s skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in supply chain operations while partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable sourcing, competitive pricing, and strong supplier performance.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Nashville, TN |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Company Size | 2,500 to 4,999 employees |
| Year Founded | 2002 |
| Website | http://www.vaco.com/ |
Description
Position Overview
A growing manufacturing-focused organization is seeking experienced procurement professionals to join its sourcing team. This role is responsible for managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, sourcing materials, and driving cost optimization initiatives across assigned commodity categories. The ideal candidate is a proactive negotiator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing strategic sourcing initiatives with day-to-day procurement responsibilities.
This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in supply chain operations while partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable sourcing, competitive pricing, and strong supplier performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage procurement and sourcing activities for assigned commodity categories, ensuring timely and cost-effective supply of materials and services.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers while serving as the primary point of contact for commercial negotiations.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, service agreements, lead times, and other supplier terms to maximize value and minimize risk.
- Monitor market conditions, industry trends, and cost drivers that could impact sourcing strategies.
- Analyze supplier proposals, conduct spend reviews, and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
- Lead supplier selection, qualification, onboarding, and performance management activities.
- Collaborate with operations, supply chain, finance, quality, and engineering teams to support business objectives and new product initiatives.
- Evaluate sourcing risks and develop contingency plans to improve supply continuity and reduce disruptions.
- Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities related to procurement spend.
- Maintain purchasing data, supplier records, and sourcing documentation within ERP systems.
- Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and best practices.
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, sourcing, commodity management, or a related supply chain function.
- Experience purchasing direct materials or commodities in a manufacturing, industrial, automotive, or similar environment.
- Proven ability to negotiate pricing and supplier agreements while managing vendor relationships.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate data and make sound business decisions.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting deadlines.
- Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with commodities such as plastics, rubber, metals, fabricated components, or other manufacturing materials.
- Background in automotive, industrial manufacturing, or consumer products industries.
- Professional certifications in procurement or supply chain management are a plus.
By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact
HR@vaco.com
.Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
Representation Notice
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring’s discussions with its Client, Highspring’s understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring’s use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client’s use of AI products in hiring.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.
About Company
Vaco provides expert consulting, permanent placement, executive search and strategic staffing for companies around the world, in the areas of accounting, finance, technology, healthcare, operations, administration and more. As a premier talent solutions firm, Vaco connects people to their dream jobs and helps leading companies find talent to grow their business. Since its founding in 2002, Vaco has grown to more than 35 offices across the globe, 700+ employees, more than 3,000 consultants and $450M in revenue. Vaco has been named to Inc. magazine’s list of the fastest-growing private companies for past 11 years and is dedicated to developing long-term relationships, life-long careers and creative client solutions.