# Strategic Sourcing Manager - Company: [Vulcanelements]() - Location: Research Triangle Park, NC - Team: Commercial Operations - Posted: July 29, 2026 ## Job description Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets to enable a secure and resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resilience, we serve critical industries including defense, aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing—powering a high-technology future.  As the Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will develop and execute sourcing strategies for critical raw materials, manufacturing equipment, production services, and strategic suppliers supporting domestic rare-earth magnet manufacturing. You will play a key role in building resilient supply chains that enable rapid production scale-up while reducing supply risk, controlling cost, and ensuring long-term supply security for one of America's most critical manufacturing industries.  **Responsibilities**  * Develop and execute sourcing strategies supporting the production raw material requirements * Identify, evaluate, qualify, negotiate, and manage strategic supplier relationships across domestic and international markets. * Lead commercial negotiations for purchase agreements, long-term supply agreements, pricing structures, and supplier partnerships. * Support supply chain resilience initiatives through supplier diversification, inventory optimization, risk mitigation, and business continuity planning. * Monitor global commodity markets, rare earth pricing, geopolitical developments, tariffs, trade restrictions, and regulatory changes impacting supply availability and cost. * Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Program Management to support new product introductions, supplier qualification, and production readiness. * Collaborate with Logistics and Trade Compliance to optimize transportation, customs strategies, Incoterms, and international supplier operations. * Perform make-versus-buy analyses, should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership evaluations, and sourcing recommendations. * Develop and monitor supplier performance metrics, including quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives. * Support government, defense, and commercial customer requirements related to domestic sourcing, traceability, supply chain security, and DFARS compliance. * Drive cost savings, productivity improvements, and strategic sourcing initiatives while maintaining continuity of supply. * Maintain accurate supplier records, contracts, and sourcing documentation within ERP and procurement systems. *Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business*  **Qualifications** * Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline. * 5+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier development, or professional work experience * Experience negotiating commercial agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships. * strong understanding of supplier risk management, contract negotiation, commodity management, and total cost of ownership principles. * Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement, supplier relationship management (SRM), and supply planning systems. * Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and project management skills *Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.* ## Apply [Apply on Vulcanelements]() Canonical job page: