Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Primary Location: Northbrook, IL - Hybrid, 3 days onsite
Position Type: W-2 Contract | 9/23/2025 – 12/31/2025

Overview
TalentFish is casting a line for a Strategic Sourcing Specialist! This is a W-2 Contract role in Northbrook, IL with our premier client.
The Strategic Sourcing Specialist exists to lead sourcing initiatives, supplier onboarding, and supplier relationship management, while ensuring cost, quality, and delivery value across assigned commodities.

What You Bring to the Role. (Ideal Experience)

• University Degree (Equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's degree) in Business Administration or related field.
• 2 years of procurement experience.
• Proficiency in Excel, with expertise in analyzing spend data and performing market analysis.
• Oracle ERP system experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-value, medium-complexity sourcing teams.
• Detailed knowledge of sourcing and supplier management.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing principles, negotiating techniques, and business/contract law.

What You'll Do. (Skills Used in this Position)

• Manage the strategic sourcing process, including supplier selection, service level agreements, contract review, and negotiations for assigned commodities.
• Lead supplier onboarding, system integration, market analysis, TCO usage, and RFQ/RFI activities.
• Act as the relationship manager for external suppliers, collaborating with internal clients to align needs and expectations.
• Maximize supplier relationships by managing expectations and building long-term value-driven partnerships.
• Serve as an industry and product expert for assigned commodities, keeping up to date with new products and materials.
• Manage the introduction of new items in an economically advantageous way for the organization.
• Maintain, re-evaluate, and expand reliable sources of supply, developing secondary sources to encourage competition.
• Partner with internal clients to leverage cost savings, enhance delivery, and improve quality.

Compensation Information
The expected salary range for this position is $40 - $55 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. This role also qualifies for comprehensive benefits. TalentFish is committed to pay transparency and equal opportunity. The salary range provided is in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.

This role requires authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship.

All offers are contingent upon the completion of a background check, which may include but is not limited to reference checks, education verification, employment verification, drug testing, criminal records checks, and any required certifications or compliance requirements based on the end client's background check policies and applicable laws.

TalentFish is an employee-owned company pioneering a new realm in talent acquisition. We are redefining IT staffing by evolving AI, video screening, and our unique platform. TalentFish focuses on providing the best employee, consultant, and client experience possible.
At TalentFish we are an Equal Opportunity Employer; we embrace and encourage diversity!

Job Types: Contract, Temporary

Pay: $36.22 - $55.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Application Question(s):

• 1. Can you walk me through your typical RFQ process for sourcing goods or services? How do you determine which suppliers to include in an RFQ?

2. Can you describe a time when your analysis of supplier bids led to a different recommendation than the lowest-cost option? What factors influenced your decision?

3. What tools or methods do you use to normalize bids when suppliers quote in different formats or currencies?

4. Have you worked on analyzing data and providing a result to your analysis to guide your category manager?

5. Have you managed contracts?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Northbrook, IL 60062