Sourcing Category Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

A recognized subject matter expert in the job area, the Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for developing, executing, and implementing strategies to source goods and services to support business stakeholders and programs. Strategies may be short-term or long-term and must align with the Company goals for reducing costs and meeting financial expectations, while managing vendor relationships and new product innovation.  This position follows the 7-step sourcing process in order to select high value suppliers and negotiate competitive pricing.  In addition, contract compliance and stakeholder management will be keys to the success of this position.

This position will be an individual contributor with no direct reports.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, direct, and execute strategic sourcing strategies, best practices, and initiatives that support aggressive improvements in supplier consolidation, quality, total cost of ownership, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, lead-times, payment, risk compliance and other areas as identified. 

• Evaluate external market for competitive sources of supply, conducting market research and using benchmarking date to qualify potential sources.  

• Execute category sourcing strategies to include development and execution of sourcing events (RFx, reverse auctions, etc.); document bid process through supplier communication; drive the selection of suppliers in collaboration with cross-functional teams; conduct supplier negotiations; and ongoing supplier management. 

• Develop negotiation strategies, gain alignment from stakeholders, lead cross-functional, category-based negotiation teams, and implement appropriate supplier risk analysis.  

• Use current spend information/data and business knowledge to identify sourcing projects for individual subcategories and develop an overall cost reduction plan. Create and defend category strategies and decisions with sound analytics. Collaborate with key analytical support functions; synthesize results. 

• Aggressively manage category performance by adhering to internal Savings goals and reviewing financial models for commodity type items. Ensure spend portfolio for recurring, managed spend is balanced through coordinated sourcing waves and leveraged with other sourcing activities. 

• Drive consolidation of spend and seek out synergies across Business Units where applicable, by forming and leading cross-functional strategic sourcing teams to develop and implement category/commodity strategies and to drive cost from individual spend sub-categories. Champion regular category review meetings with cross-functional teams to manage category performance. 

• Lead and manage continuous improvement initiatives to drive simultaneous advancement of service levels, quality of goods & services, cost of supply, & favorable working capital terms. 

• Coach, review, and delegate work to lower level professionals. 

• Additional duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering or related field 

• Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s) preferred 

• 4+ years progressive operational experience in procurement, sourcing or supply chain management; or equivalent combination of education and experience 

• Experience in business analysis, market research, financial analysis, procurement/supply chain analysis, supplier performance management, analytics (multi-dimensional analysis, master data management, predictive analysis, visualization) 

• Purchasing or Supply Chain Management domain experience (buying, vendor management, supplier evaluation, regulatory compliance, segmentation/taxonomy)  

• Ability to analyze complex data and present in a meaningful manner, making appropriate recommendations and driving actions (e.g., data validity, profit/loss variance, volume trends, ROI) 

• Strong analytical, prioritizing, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills with track record of proactive problem resolution within complex supply chains 

• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as internal and external clients. 

• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment. 

• Ability to work with and influence peers and management. 

• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning). 

• Periodic travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required. 

• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications; Advanced Microsoft Excel and database manipulation skills, SAP BI tools 

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PHYSICAL ASPECTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard; and talk, hear and see.   

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low/moderate. 

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.