Senior new product development sourcing lead

Confidential Company in the Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing sector is Looking for a Senior New Product Development Sourcing Lead to be based remote in Italy.

Summary of Job

The Senior NPD Sourcing Lead is a strategic procurement partner to Engineering and Supply Chain, owning end-to-end sourcing for new product development projects.

This role report directly to the Global Procurement Director (Based in Switzerland) and operates in a fast-changing environment, requiring high adaptability and flexibility to manage evolving products, specifications, and supplier landscapes.

The position plays a key role in balancing priorities between Engineering and Supply Chain, ensuring the best sourcing decisions through deep analysis of supplier capabilities, risks, and long-term strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as procurement lead for NPD projects
• Work closely with Engineering and Supply Chain, managing trade-offs and priorities
• Challenge design decisions using cost, manufacturability, and supply risk insights
• Influence decisions such as make vs. buy, supplier selection, and localization

Supplier Sourcing & Management

• Define and execute supplier sourcing strategies
• Identify and onboard suppliers aligned with changing product needs
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and capacity to meet volume requirements
• Lead RFQs, supplier negotiations, and contract discussions
• Manage supplier performance, including audits and corrective actions

Critical Focus Area: Managing Complexity & Change

• Operate effectively in a constantly changing environment
• Demonstrate strong adaptability and flexibility when dealing with:
• New technologies
• Changing product requirements
• Supplier availability constraints
• Proactively anticipate risks (e.g., lack of capacity, single sourcing) and prepare mitigation plans

Cost, Risk & Strategy Management

• Support costing, financial analysis, and sourcing strategy
• Perform risk assessment (identify, document, and mitigate risks)
• Ensure suppliers can support both prototype and production phases

Leadership & Influence

• Act as a bridge between Engineering and Supply Chain, managing tension and aligning priorities
• Influence stakeholders without direct authority
• Provide guidance and share best practices within procurement

Knowledge and Skills – Required (Hard Skills)

• Strong R&D / NPD Buyer background
• Solid understanding of:
• Sourcing strategy
• Cost & financial analysis
• Negotiation and contract management (must have directly led supplier contracts)
• Experience with supplier audits and stakeholder management
• Proven risk assessment capability with practical examples
• Basic program/project management skills

Key Attributes (Soft Skills)

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to think outside the box
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Skilled in influencing indirectly
• High resilience, able to manage demanding stakeholders and challenging dynamics.

Your Qualifications:

• 8–12+ years in procurement/sourcing within complex or engineered products
• Experience working in fast-paced, changing environments
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and suppliers
• Strong ownership, autonomy, and leadership mindset
• Fluent English (other European Languages are a plus)
• Possibility to fly monthly to Switzerland (Zurich)

Our Offer:

• Be part of a growing company with an excellent industry reputation, a recognized leader in a market where energy services are in demand.
• Multicultural Exposure: Positive corporate culture and strong team work.
• Career Growth & Development :Personal development opportunities & Educational Support.
• Health & Well-being: Interactive employee engagement activities - Wellbeing Initiatives & Comprehensive Medical & Health Insurance
• Flexible Working Time