Sourcing Specialist

Be yourself at Protolabs 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 

Why Protolabs? 

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

In this position, you will manage the sourcing of orders from some of the largest global companies. To excel, you must be exceptionally organized, efficient with your time, and strategic in aligning customer needs with supplier capabilities, including CNC, 3DP, and Sheet Metal. In return, you’ll gain valuable insights into the fascinating world of engineering and online manufacturing, all while working alongside talented colleagues who are enthusiastic about

sharing their expertise. 

• Oversee our order allocation auction platform to ensure that orders are efficiently sourced with suitable Manufacturing Partners. 
• Engage in negotiations with Manufacturing Partners to optimize costs and lead times, especially for orders with complex specifications or tight deadlines. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with Manufacturing Partners to enhance their participation in allocation auctions; collaborate with the Supply team to ensure our sourcing strategy aligns with the overall supplier network objectives. 
• Coordinate with the Mechanical Engineering team as necessary to address any manufacturability considerations that arise during the sourcing process. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, such as Account Managers, Supply Chain Managers, and Mechanical Engineers, to ensure orders are sourced both swiftly and effectively. 
• Suggest process and policy improvements to enhance order sourcing and establish a continuous improvement cycle to share feedback with other departments, including the Supply, Sales, and Product teams. 

• 0-2 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, or a related industry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in English; additional skills in Chinese or Indian are a plus.
• Hands-on experience with CNC, 3D printing, or sheet metal preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive mindset.
• Bachelor's or Master's in manufacturing, supply chain, or similar field.
• Familiarity with Excel, PowerPoint, and tools like Looker and Miro is beneficial.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; eagerness to improve efficiency and workflows.

• Part of our journey is clearly down to our amazing team, and we strongly believe in giving people a space to truly, authentically be themselves. We also believe that treating our employees well and sprinkling a great place to work with some nice perks can make work a little sweeter.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements! (we try to accommodate where it’s possible, so feel free to ask us more about this)
• Wellness and well-being with access to OpenUp psychologists
• Dog friendly office
• Daily Lunch and snacks are provided in the office; it's a moment for our teams to connect and recharge. Shared meals strengthen our bonds and fuel collaboration.
• We offer great opportunities for learning and development, including access to external educational events & trainings, access to our inhouse LEARN platform with diverse courses, training, and workshops, and various opportunities for you to develop your skills. 
• Regular team events & socials