Supply Chain Specialist

Position Summary The Supply Chain Specialist owns international sourcing and monitoring of electrical equipment used in power distribution, such as transformers and other allocated, long-lead, hard-to-source equipment, at the business unit level within the portfolio's federated operating model. Working closely with Procurement Management Quality, Project Management and Manufacturing Operations, this role translates project schedules and technical specifications into sourcing alignment action, secures allocation and delivery slots with global manufacturers, qualifies and manages international suppliers, and keeps critical equipment flowing to protect production schedules and customer commitments. The role executes within site and project priorities day-to-day while following standards, supplier panels, and category strategies set by senior management. Because this position directly impacts project delivery, it is classified as a critical role.

Key Responsibilities

International Sourcing & Procurement

• Provide RFP/RFQ response proposals for major buyout equipment. Work with Sales and Commercial & Application Solutions.
• Manage RFQs, negotiate pricing and contract terms with international suppliers, and place purchase orders in the site's ERP/procurement system.
• Source and manage electrical distribution equipment internationally, transformers and other allocated equipment, from qualified global vendors to meet project and production needs.
• Track manufacturer allocation slots and order windows for transformers and other long-lead, capacity-constrained equipment, and align customers’ needs to the correct manufacturer within our qualified ecosystem.
• Evaluate manufacturer technical specifications against engineering requirements, voltage ratings, insulation class, and applicable IEC/IEEE/ANSI/CSA standards, before award.
• Coordinate with site engineering to translate technical drawings and BOMs into accurate procurement specifications and international RFQs.

Procurement & Project Management Coordination

• Partner with Procurement Management to align international sourcing activity with category strategy, supplier panels, and cost targets.
• Partner with Project Management Operations to align transformer and allocated-part delivery dates with project schedules, milestones, and customer commitments.
• Flag allocation risk, lead-time changes, or schedule conflicts to Project Management Operations early enough to adjust project plans.
• Maintain a shared tracker of allocated equipment status (ordered, in production, in transit, delivered) visible to procurement and project teams.

Supplier & Quality Management

• Track international supplier performance on lead time, quality, and cost; maintain the approved vendor list for electrical distribution categories in coordination with centralized category management.
• Ensure supplier compliance with safety and regulatory standards (UL, IEEE, CSA, NEMA) and site quality requirements.
• Resolve quality issues, non-conformances, and warranty claims with vendors, escalating to centralized Quality Assurance where standards or supplier qualification are affected.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and qualify alternative international suppliers for allocated parts without compromising technical or safety requirements.

Logistics & Compliance

• Manage international logistics, customs documentation, tariffs, and delivery scheduling for shipments of transformers and other electrical equipment, working with the Logistics Team.
• Monitor inventory levels and forecast demand for critical power distribution equipment to support production schedules and working capital targets.
• Expedite critical equipment and coordinate contingency plans with procurement and project teams when allocation or shipping delays risk project delivery.
• Partner with the centralized Supply Chain Practice Council to adopt standardized sourcing playbooks, preferred supplier panels, and category strategies.
• Maintain accurate performance records and support audits related to manufacturing qualification and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in supply chain or procurement, with direct exposure to electrical or power distribution equipment.
• Working knowledge of power distribution equipment, transformers, switchgear, MCCs, cables, protective relays - including manufacturer allocation and long-lead procurement practices.
• Experience sourcing internationally, including working directly with overseas manufacturers and managing cross-border logistics.
• Familiarity with industry standards (IEC, IEEE, ANSI, CSA, NEMA, UL).
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/procurement systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar).
• Ability to coordinate closely with Procurement Management and Project Management Operations while following centralized sourcing standards and governance. Preferred
• Experience with utility, EPC, or industrial power projects.
• Knowledge of import/export regulations, Incoterms, and customs processes.
• Direct experience managing transformer allocation with major manufacturers.
• SCMP certification is a plus

Core Competencies

• Extreme Ownership - takes full accountability for sourcing outcomes, supplier quality, and on-time delivery of critical equipment.
• Continual Improvement - proactively identifies cost, quality, and lead-time improvements without waiting to be asked.
• Team Player - collaborates closely with site engineering and production, and supports council-driven sourcing standards even without direct authority over category strategy.
• Build Trust - earns credibility with suppliers, site leadership, and centralized sourcing functions through consistency and follow-through.
• Sound judgment under pressure - makes fast, well-reasoned sourcing decisions when supply is at risk, balancing site urgency with portfolio-wide standards.

Success Measures (First 12 Months)

• Zero transformers or allocated-equipment delays that disrupt project schedules or customer commitments.
• Meets or exceeds targets for international supplier lead time, quality, and cost for electrical distribution categories.
• Establishes a reliable, shared tracking process with Procurement Management and Project Management Operations for allocated equipment status.
• Completes qualification of at least three alternative international manufacturers per critical component category, improving supply resilience.
• Fully adopts centralized sourcing playbooks and preferred supplier panels for electrical equipment.