Manager Cost Optimization Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Grapevine, TX, USA

For Earth For Life

This role will require some weekly in-office - Grapevine, TX.

This position will require international travel.

The Procurement Manager will lead procurement activities for Treten aftermarket product lines, coordinating with Kubota Genuine Parts (KGP) where sourcing overlap exists, with a strategic focus on implementing a 'Good, Better, Best' product offering.

This role ensures timely, cost-effective acquisition of goods and services aligned to defined performance requirements across multiple tiers of products. The incumbent will identify, onboard, and qualify suppliers capable of executing differentiated product specifications by tier; negotiate contracts, and drive supplier performance against cost, quality, and delivery targets.

This role prioritizes replacing third-party aftermarket offerings within the Kubota dealer network while maintaining clear differentiation from KGP.

: This position does the following in accordance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws / regulations and the Company's policies, procedures and guidelines:

• Aftermarket Strategy Development: Design and execute procurement strategies for aftermarket parts that align with the Good, Better, Best concept, ensuring a balanced portfolio that meets diverse customer needs and price points while maintaining differentiation from Kubota Genuine Parts.
• Supplier Segmentation & Qualification: Identify domestic and international suppliers, including suppliers in China, Southeast Asia, India, Turkey, and South Korea, capable of delivering tiered product specifications, performance, and pricing. Develop evaluation criteria for suppliers to support multiple product tiers while maintaining clear differentiation from Kubota Genuine Parts.
• Cost Optimization & Value Engineering: Analyze cost structures for aftermarket parts and implement sourcing strategies that maximize value across product tiers. Drive initiatives for cost savings aligned to defined performance requirements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to define and differentiate specifications for each tier and ensure alignment with customer expectations and brand positioning.
• Contract Negotiation & Risk Management: Negotiate commercial terms for aftermarket suppliers, including pricing, delivery schedules, warranty conditions tailored to tiered offerings, and multi-region sourcing strategies and risk mitigation.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish KPIs for aftermarket suppliers, focusing on supplier performance by tier, on-time delivery, and responsiveness to market demand.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor competitor pricing, product offerings, and sourcing strategies in aftermarket procurement to continuously refine the Good, Better, Best approach.
• Demonstrates initiative in identifying new sourcing opportunities, developing alternative supply strategies, onboarding new suppliers, and driving continuous improvement across the supplier base
• Other duties/Special projects as assigned by management

• Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or related field required.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in procurement, with at least 4 years in aftermarket purchasing, supplier development, or tiered product strategies.
• Direct experience identifying, qualifying, negotiating with, and managing suppliers in China and Southeast Asia required; experience in India, Turkey, and South Korea preferred.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Experience with SAP ERP/WMS preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results under tight deadlines.

• Experience implementing tiered product strategies (Good, Better, Best) in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Knowledge of value engineering and cost optimization techniques.
• Strong analytical skills for market and supplier performance evaluation.
• Strategic thinker with ability to balance cost, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Effective communicator and influencer across cross-functional teams.
• Adaptable to fast-paced environments and evolving business needs.
• Proven experience as a Procurement Manager, Sourcing Manager, Procurement Engineer or similar role.
• Strong negotiation, supplier development, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access and the ability to quickly learn other software packages.
• Ability to work in team-oriented environment.
• Ability to effectively lead and motivate team to achieve assigned goals.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results in a fast-paced commercialization environment.

Fluency in English required. Additional language skills relevant to international supplier engagement are a plus.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%, including supplier visits, audits, trade shows, and business meetings.
• Travel may include supplier identification, qualification, audits, performance reviews, trade shows, and business meetings.

Office equipment including computer, copier, phone, printer, and other standard business equipment.

Typical office environment. The position will require walking, standing and sitting at a computer.

The information provided in the description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within the classification. This description is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job/classification. This job is intended to include the current essential functions of the job. Management reserves the right to add or modify the duties and responsibilities and to designate other functions as essential at any time.

Kubota is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.