Procurement Manager

Littelfuse (NASDAQ: LFUS) is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company shaping solutions for the safe and efficient transfer of electrical energy. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, we serve customers across industrial, transportation, and electronics markets worldwide. With approximately 16,000 employees we design and manufacture innovative technologies that support electrification, energy efficiency, and advanced automation. Our global reach is matched by a culture that empowers innovation and long-term growth. Guided by our principles We Care, We Succeed With Our Customers, and We Own the Outcome, we work collaboratively, think boldly, and deliver solutions that move industries forward.

This is a results-driven Procurement Manager role who will oversee and optimize our end-to-end procurement processes, with a primary focus on indirect material sources.
The ideal candidate will be responsible for streamlining procurement workflows, reducing costs, ensuring supply stability, and building strategic relationships with suppliers of indirect materials.
This role requires a combination of analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of procurement best practices to drive efficiency and add value to the organization.

About the Job

1. Procurement Process Optimization

• Evaluate and analyze the current procurement processes (including requisition, vendor selection, ordering, delivery, and payment) to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.

• Design and implement optimized procurement workflows, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance productivity, reduce lead times, and ensure compliance with company guidelines and industry regulations.

• Leverage procurement tools, software, and digital solutions to automate manual processes, improve data visibility, and streamline cross-departmental collaboration (e.g., with finance, operations, and inventory teams).

• Monitor process performance metrics (e.g., procurement cycle time, cost savings, order accuracy) and prepare regular reports to track progress, identify gaps, and propose corrective actions.

• Train and guide procurement team members on new processes, tools, and best practices to ensure consistent execution and adoption.

2. Indirect Material Sourcing

• Lead the sourcing, evaluation, and selection of suppliers for indirect materials (e.g.,Facility Projects, office supplies, IT hardware & software and services such as cleaning, logistics, or consulting).

• Negotiate favorable terms and conditions with suppliers (including pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, quality standards, and service level agreements) to minimize costs while ensuring quality and reliability.

• Build and maintain long-term strategic relationships with key suppliers, conduct regular supplier performance reviews, and address any issues (e.g., delivery delays, quality defects) proactively.

• Research market trends, new suppliers, and innovative indirect materials or solutions to diversify the supply base, reduce dependency on single sources, and drive cost savings.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., department heads, operations teams) to understand their indirect material needs, forecast demand, and ensure timely availability of materials to support business operations.

• Manage the vendor database, update supplier information, and ensure compliance with vendor onboarding and qualification standards.

3. General Procurement Oversight

• Manage the procurement budget, track spending against targets, and identify opportunities for cost reduction (e.g., bulk purchasing, vendor consolidation, or contract renegotiation).

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, and legal requirements (e.g., anti-corruption laws, data privacy regulations).

• Coordinate with the finance team to reconcile procurement invoices, resolve payment discrepancies, and ensure accurate financial reporting.

• Stay updated on industry trends, procurement innovations, and regulatory changes that may impact the organization’s procurement strategies.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPM) is a plus.

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in procurement management, with a proven track record in process optimization and indirect material sourcing. Experience in the semiconductor industry is highly preferred and a key advantage, as familiarity with the industry’s unique indirect material needs and supply chain dynamics is critical for success in this role.

• Deep understanding of procurement processes, supply chain management, and indirect material categories.

• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to interact effectively with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.

• Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis, process mapping, and using procurement software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa) or Excel for reporting and forecasting.

• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards in procurement (e.g., anti-bribery, compliance).

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving challenges.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in implementing procurement process automation or digital transformation initiatives.

• Familiarity with sustainability and green procurement practices.

• Prior experience working in the semiconductor industry is strongly preferred; candidates with experience in this sector will have a deeper understanding of the industry’s specific indirect material requirements, regulatory constraints, and supplier landscape. Experience in a manufacturing, retail, or corporate environment with complex indirect material needs is also considered.

At Littelfuse, we support employee growth and development. Guided by our culture principles, our teams work together to deliver value for customers and make a positive impact in the communities where we operate. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow and contribute. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, performance-based incentives, flexible work arrangements, and development opportunities.