The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager plays a critical leadership role within the Procurement organization, responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable value across the enterprise. This individual will partner closely with key stakeholders, including business unit leaders to align category management plans with organizational goals and performance expectations.
This role will oversee high-impact sourcing initiatives, manage complex supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement in cost, quality, service, and risk. The ideal candidate brings a strategic mindset, deep sourcing expertise, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment. A strong focus on supplier performance, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making is essential to succeed in this role.
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and execute annual category management plans that align with business objectives, incorporating elements such as spend analysis, strategic sourcing pipelines, supplier rationalization strategies, process optimization initiatives, supplier segmentation, business reviews, scorecards, and sourcing levers.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, executive leadership, and suppliers by maintaining accountability, delivering results within defined timelines, and cultivating strong, collaborative relationships.
- Lead joint initiatives with suppliers and internal partners to identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities, drive continuous improvement efforts, and proactively address high-impact supplier performance issues to support business objectives.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve strategic sourcing and procurement strategies that enhance value, reduce risk, and drive operational efficiency across the supply base.
- Conduct detailed cost and spend analyses to uncover insights, drive data-informed sourcing decisions, and recommend strategies to reduce total cost of ownership.
- Design and optimize sourcing processes to achieve maximum efficiency and value delivery, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry best practices.
- Partner in the development and execution of a strategic supplier management framework for high-impact and high-dependency suppliers, considering service performance, innovation, risk mitigation, long-term value, and contractual obligations.
- Oversee the Supplier Lifecycle Management (SLM) process for a subset of strategic vendors, driving improvements in performance management, relationship development, contract governance, and risk mitigation throughout the supplier engagement lifecycle.
- Manage complex sourcing initiatives involving multifaceted supplier ecosystems, applying structured problem-solving and strategic analysis to derive optimal outcomes.
- Lead comprehensive cost modeling and contract analysis efforts to identify and execute cost-effective solutions for both existing and future supplier agreements.
- Design, develop, and facilitate training programs to enhance team knowledge and execution of procurement processes, policies, and best practices.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field required.
- 7-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably within a regulated industry (e.g. healthcare, financial services)
- Proven experience developing and executing category management strategies, cost reduction initiatives, and supplier performance improvement programs
- Demonstrated success in managing high-complexity sourcing projects and influencing executive level stakeholders in a matrixed or cross-functional environment
- Strong background in supplier lifecycle management, including contract negotiation, risk assessment and performance measurement.
Skills & Abilities:
- Expertise in category management and strategic sourcing methodologies
- Skilled in supplier segmentation and performance evaluation frameworks
- Self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset and ability to thrive in change-oriented environments
- Results driven with the ability to prioritize and deliver against tight timelines
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, executive leaders, and suppliers
- Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with finance, legal, compliance, and business units
- Advanced understanding of negotiation levers, diverse approaches, able to channel switch depending on negotiation partner or long-term relationship.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present to senior leadership
- Comfortable managing supplier business reviews, executive reporting, and stakeholder communications
- Ability to develop total cost of ownership (TCO) models and identify cost reduction levers
- Demonstrates ability to identify and manage low performing vendors and manage to improve or replace them when necessary.
- Demonstrates proven ability to conduct market research in specified categories.
- Ability to mentor new team members, with an eye towards personal and professional development.