Strategic Sourcing

Company History and Founding

Strategic Sourcing International (SSI) occupies a niche in the procurement services market by blending the deep industry knowledge of a boutique consultancy with the global reach of a larger supply chain intermediary. The company was founded by Craig Einhorn, who began his career in electronics manufacturing in the 1990s, managing and buying raw electronic components. Over decades, he built extensive supplier relationships and commodity expertise that became the foundation of SSI’s service offering. SSI officially launched in August 2008 from a garage in Virginia Beach, with co-founder Shuly Einhorn (Vice President) joining Craig to build a company centred on speed, trust, and customer care. The initial focus was on tactical procurement consulting for a local distributor, but the firm quickly expanded into a full-service sourcing provider.

Business Model

SSI’s service model is based on a highly personalised approach. The company does not maintain large inventories or operate as a traditional distributor. Instead, it leverages an extensive, trusted network of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to source parts and materials on demand. This allows the firm to handle both small and large orders with flexibility, often delivering faster turnaround times than larger competitors. SSI’s core capabilities include sourcing hard-to-find or obsolete electronic components, managing global logistics for cross-border procurement, supplying test and measurement equipment, procuring military-grade parts and IT hardware, and providing tactical procurement consulting for companies seeking to optimise their supply chains. The company has developed particularly strong capabilities in the military and defence sector, where reliability and speed are critical.

Market Position and Competition

Unlike many procurement firms that focus primarily on cost reduction through volume, SSI emphasises total value, which includes quality, speed, and risk mitigation. This approach aligns with the principles of strategic sourcing described in industry frameworks, but SSI applies them in a hands-on, relationship-intensive manner suited to complex or urgent sourcing needs. The company's client base spans the United States, Europe, Israel, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and China. SSI has grown one client at a time, relying on referrals and repeat business rather than extensive marketing. While specific revenue and headcount figures are not publicly disclosed, the firm describes itself as a boutique operation, suggesting a small core team supplemented by its network of partners. SSI competes with both large procurement consultancies (e.g., GEP, Kearney) and online marketplaces, but its hands-on, relationship-driven model positions it as a specialised alternative for clients with complex or time-sensitive procurement needs.

Leadership and Structure

The leadership team is lean, with Craig Einhorn serving as founder and de facto chief executive, and Shuly Einhorn as Vice President overseeing operations and client relationships. The company’s flat structure enables rapid decision-making and direct client engagement, which senior leaders cite as a key competitive advantage. No other C-level executives (CEO, CTO, CFO, COO, CCO) were explicitly confirmed in any reviewed source for this company.

Strategic Direction

Looking ahead, SSI is likely to continue focusing on its core strengths: rapid sourcing, deep supplier relationships, and personalised service. The company faces competition from both large procurement consultancies and online marketplaces, but its hands-on, relationship-driven model positions it as a specialised alternative for clients with complex or time-sensitive procurement needs.