Strategic Sourcing Manager

Primary Work Location:

Westborough, MA. Hybrid work schedule

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing, the Strategic Sourcing Manager for the Unified Procurement Services Team is an experienced procurement professional who can lead the development of a strategic vision and operational plan to maximize business opportunities through effective Category Management & Process Execution. Will act as the single point of contact and should exhibit the ability to manage all operations related to sourcing and procurement activities for directly assigned categories. Will manage the team of Strategic Sourcing Category Managers and Specialists to support the University's sourcing activities.

Essential Functions:

• Identify and execute strategic initiatives within the abovementioned categories to drive maximum cost savings and value creation for the organization.
• Partner closely with key stakeholder teams to understand critical business needs and support the development of strategies to address them.
• Support the development of specific category strategies for the assigned spend categories, including market research/benchmarks, milestones, savings targets, resource requirements, and implementation plans.
• Manage and execute all steps of the strategic sourcing process, including developing RFPs, negotiating with suppliers, conducting bid analysis, and making supplier recommendations.
• Provide aggregate reporting on category performance and key metrics such as savings and supplier performance.
• Monitor and research industry trends and "Best Practices" and adopt them as appropriate for assigned spend categories.
• Manage the Strategic Sourcing team to support sourcing activities in support of general procurement activities
• Train Strategic Sourcing Specialists in all areas of Strategic Sourcing, including RFx fundamentals, electronic sourcing tool utilization, negotiation, and contracting.
• Manage internal customer relationships through cross-functional engagement and develop deep category knowledge in the assigned category areas.
• Conduct supplier performance management initiatives and drive continuous improvement.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure that delivery dates and technical and contractual requirements are met. Participate in strategic meetings with suppliers and business leaders to ensure execution of defined strategies
• Manages daily ongoing category supplier relations and seeks growth or revision opportunities within the supply base. Acts as the internal point of contact for supplier management and complaint resolution; conducts regular supplier meetings and implements improvement strategies with suppliers. Creates, nurtures, and enhances supplier relationships.
• Aggressively manages category performance by adhering to internal goals and reviewing financial models for commodity-type items. Ensure spend portfolio for reoccurring managed spend is balanced through coordinated sourcing waves and leveraged with Capital project sourcing activities.
• Drive consolidation of spend and seek out synergies across campuses 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.

Other Functions:

• Perform other responsibilities as required

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience):

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• 7 - 10 years of professional experience directly related to purchasing, category management, or sourcing
• 2 - 5 years of progressive management experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or similar software
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and writing skills needed to present or communicate effectively with all levels of management

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience):

• MBA
• Professional experience in a higher education institution
• Experience working in a shared services environment
• Excellent business partnering, communications skills, and strong process focus
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills (i.e. excel modeling)
• High motivation, the ability to prioritize and self-direct, and sound interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills required

Working Conditions:

• Typical Office environment

Additional Details:

Salary commensurate with experience up to $150,000.