Duties/Responsibilities: · Assure that established objectives for favorable pricing, cost control, on-time delivery, vendor performance on quality specifications and delivery verification are achieved or surpassed. · Participate with production and other operating personnel in devising substitutions, alternative sources or other special and emergency arrangements. · Solicit bids, analyze quotations, interview and evaluate prospective suppliers, and select or recommend appropriate supplier. · Coordinate with Engineering and other personnel in searches for sources of supply, pre-purchase testing and associated precautions. · Visit supplier plants and other company locations, as appropriate, to assure necessary investigation and coordination of work completions. · Review assigned item files to assure complete and up-to-date records on prices, established standard order quantities and reorder points. · Participate with various other department managers (Product Management, Sales, Quality, Engineering, Materials Management etc.) on special projects to investigate and evaluate sources of supply; devise better pricing and value on purchased items and services. · Influence suppliers' manufacturing processes, technology decisions, and policies in ways that are mutually beneficial and sustainable for both organizations. · Renegotiate, renew, and discontinue supplier contracts. · Analyze industry trends and evolving technology to proactively identify supply base issues to minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and exploit emerging opportunities. · Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models. · Develop a negotiation strategy that delivers against business objectives and achieves sustainable relationships with suppliers. · Manage, Coach, Teach and Lead Corporate Supply Chain Staff in Montgomery, Alabama. · Direct activities of the Supply Chains Staff (Supplier Quality Engineers), working closely with Hager management.