Senior Manager, Global Sourcing – Plastics

Senior Manager, Global Sourcing – Plastics

Job Title: Senior Manager, Global Sourcing – Plastics
Function: Global Operations – Global Sourcing
Level: Senior Manager
Reports To: Director, Global Sourcing
Location: Remote - East Coast Preferred.
Travel: 20–30%

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Global Sourcing – Plastics is responsible for developing and executing the global sourcing strategy for plastic resin, injection molded components, extrusion products, thermoformed products, and other plastic-related direct material categories supporting CONMED's global manufacturing operations.

This role leads strategic supplier relationships, drives total cost of ownership improvements, ensures supply continuity, supports new product introductions, and partners closely with Engineering, Supplier Development, Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, and Operations teams. The Senior Manager plays a critical role in aligning sourcing strategies with enterprise growth objectives while balancing quality, service, innovation, and risk mitigation requirements.

The position combines strategic leadership, category expertise, supplier management, and cross-functional influence to deliver measurable business results across CONMED's global supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute multi-year global category strategies for plastics, resins, molded components, and related manufacturing technologies.
• Build comprehensive category roadmaps aligned with business growth, manufacturing expansion, product development, and supplier capability requirements.
• Analyze global market trends, commodity indexes, raw material availability, capacity constraints, geopolitical risks, and emerging technologies.
• Provide executive recommendations regarding sourcing opportunities, supplier footprint optimization, and risk mitigation strategies.

Cost Optimization & Value Creation

• Deliver annual cost reduction, cost avoidance, and productivity objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including:

• RFIs
• RFQs
• RFPs
• Supplier consolidations
• Resourcing projects
• Make-versus-buy evaluations

• Develop should-cost models and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Negotiate long-term commercial agreements and pricing structures.
• Identify opportunities for design-to-cost, material optimization, and value engineering initiatives.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Lead strategic relationships with global plastics suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Establish governance processes including:

• Quarterly Business Reviews
• Executive Supplier Reviews
• Performance Scorecards
• Continuous Improvement Plans

• Drive supplier accountability for:

• Quality
• Delivery
• Cost
• Capacity
• Innovation
• Business continuity

• Partner with Supplier Development and Quality teams to improve supplier performance and compliance.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Partner with Engineering, R&D, Supplier Development, and Manufacturing teams to support new product development and commercialization efforts.
• Engage suppliers early in the development process to ensure manufacturability, scalability, and supply readiness.
• Lead sourcing activities supporting:

• Product launches
• Product transfers
• Dual source development
• Supplier qualification
• Capacity planning

• Ensure sourcing strategies support CONMED's innovation pipeline and growth objectives.

Risk Management & Supply Continuity

• Identify and proactively mitigate supply chain risks.
• Develop continuity plans including:

• Dual sourcing strategies
• Capacity assessments
• Geographic diversification
• Inventory strategies
• Supplier recovery plans

• Monitor market dynamics impacting plastics and resin availability.
• Lead supplier risk assessments and mitigation activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with:

• Manufacturing Operations
• Engineering
• Quality & Regulatory
• Supplier Development
• Planning
• Finance
• Legal
• R&D

• Support strategic business initiatives and operational improvement projects.
• Ensure sourcing decisions align with quality, regulatory, manufacturing, and financial objectives.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop sourcing professionals and category specialists as assigned.
• Build organizational capability in strategic sourcing, analytics, supplier management, and negotiation excellence.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives within Global Sourcing.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or category management experience.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing plastics, resins, molded components, or related direct material categories.

Preferred

• MBA or advanced degree.
• Medical device, healthcare, pharmaceutical, or highly regulated manufacturing experience.
• CPSM, CIPS, CPM, or equivalent sourcing certification.
• Experience supporting global manufacturing operations and new product introductions.

…