Sourcing Specialist

General Fasteners located in Livonia, MI is looking to hire a Sourcing Specialist . Would you like to join a stable and growing local company where there is potential for career growth ? If so, please read on!

This Sourcing Specialist position earns a competitive starting wage, and we also offer great benefits and perks , such as 10 paid holidays, generous paid time off (PTO), a 401(k) option, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life insurance, a down-to-earth casual environment, and a positive team-oriented culture . Our full-time employees also have access to medical, dental, vision, and other insurance options .

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SOURCING SPECIALIST
Sourcing Specialists plays a key role in positioning the company to win new business by ensuring accurate, competitive, and timely quotations. This role manages supplier selection and the RFQ process, evaluating capability, quality, cost, and delivery to meet customer and company objectives. Working with suppliers and cross-functional teams, the Sourcing Specialist delivers solutions that strengthen customer relationships and support profitable growth.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Review quotation requirements, drawings, specifications, volumes, and customer needs to identify qualified suppliers.
• Select suppliers based on:

• Manufacturing capabilities and capacity.
• Alignment of volume requirements with supplier preferences and company inventory turn goals.
• Quality certifications and compliance standards to ensure customer confidence.
• Supplier location to support efficient transit, cost control, and alignment with GF facility locations.
• Customer delivery expectations, tariff and surcharge considerations, and other cost or risk factors.

• Issue RFQs with required documents and customer requirements, ensuring clear, professional communication.
• Maintain proactive follow-up with suppliers to clarify requirements and ensure deadlines are met.
• Collaborate with sales, engineering, quality, and other teams to resolve issues and refine proposals that support winning new business.
• Review and compare supplier proposals to identify the best option balancing profitability, competitiveness, and customer needs
• Record proposal data in the internal quotation document and present recommendations for approval to Sourcing Manager when thresholds require.
• Notify sales to finalize margin assignment and preparation of the customer-ready quote to support timely and accurate submissions.
• Document and track quote status and handoffs using established tracking mechanisms, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Manage control and retention of supplier quotes and related documentation in the shared folder.
• Support customer or internal requests for clarification or additional information after quote submission.
• Continuously seek ways to improve processes and outcomes through forward-thinking and innovation, supporting company goals for efficiency and competitiveness.

THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES POSSESS THE FOLLOWING :

• Knowledge of sourcing, procurement, and supplier evaluation practices in a distribution environment.
• Ability to interpret part descriptions, technical drawings, and specifications.
• Understanding of supply chain considerations including tariffs, surcharges, logistics, transit times, and inventory management.
• Analytical skills to evaluate supplier proposals with a focus on cost, quality, delivery, and profitability.
• Proficiency with RFQ processes, documentation, and data tracking.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across functions and with suppliers, demonstrating professionalism and ownership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Epicor P21 ERP or quotation tracking systems preferred.
• Forward-thinking mindset to identify process improvements that support business growth.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR A SOURCING SPECIALIST

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain role (fastener experience is a plus).
• Knowledge of PPAP requirements and supplier quality documentation.
• Familiarity with ISO and other industry quality certifications.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally to meet deadlines and deliver results.

Do you have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal? Are you comfortable talking on the phone? Do you enjoy building relationships with people? Are you team-oriented? Do you have creative problem-solving skills? If so, you might just be perfect for this position!

WORK SCHEDULE
This position requires working Monday – Friday. This position will have some travel to suppliers, less than 15%.

ABOUT GENERAL FASTENERS COMPANY
Founded in 1952, General Fasteners Company is a full-service distributor of Fasteners and Assembly Components. We excel at providing great products, superior customer service, customized Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs, product testing, and engineering solutions for our valued customers. Our company culture plays a large part in our success. With 12 locations in North America, General Fasteners Company continues to provide these services to numerous companies throughout North America.
General Fasteners Company continues to find new and innovative ways to service our customers as we carry on the traditional values on which our company was founded. After 70 years, we continue to be a privately held Michigan corporation dedicated to helping our customers reach their strategic goals through inventory solutions.
We believe that happy, talented employees add value to our company . We do our best to hire friendly, down-to-earth people who make good team members. We also promote a healthy work-life balance and personal development .

READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
We understand your time is valuable and that is why we have a very quick and easy application process. If you feel that you would be right for this customer service job, please fill out our initial mobile-friendly application . We look forward to meeting you!