Vice President Strategic Sourcing

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic sourcing strategy across all categories (direct materials, indirect spend, services, and capital).
• Establish category strategies that optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), reduce risk, and support product innovation and scalability.
• Lead make/buy decisions, supplier rationalization initiatives, and long-term sourcing roadmaps.

Supplier Relationship & Risk Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to ensure continuity of supply, quality, innovation, and ethical compliance.
• Lead supplier performance management, including KPIs, scorecards, QBRs, and corrective action plans.
• Proactively identify and mitigate supplier, geopolitical, financial, and operational risks.

Contracting, Negotiation & Governance

• Lead high-impact contract negotiations, pricing agreements, and commercial terms to deliver sustainable value.
• Establish sourcing governance, policies, and controls to ensure compliance, consistency, and transparency.
• Partner with Legal and Finance to ensure contracts align with risk tolerance and financial objectives.

Cost Management & Value Creation

• Drive year-over-year cost savings and productivity improvements while balancing quality, service, and supply assurance.
• Lead should-cost modeling, cost breakdown analysis, and market intelligence to inform sourcing decisions.
• Support capital planning and long-term investment strategies through supplier collaboration.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing strategic sourcing and procurement organization.
• Establish clear accountability, capability development, and succession planning within the sourcing function.
• Foster a culture of strategic thinking, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, and IT to align sourcing strategies with operational needs.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and design-for-cost initiatives through early supplier engagement.
• Serve as an executive advisor to the COO on sourcing-related risks, opportunities, and market dynamics.

Systems, Data & Analytics

• Leverage procurement and sourcing technologies (e.g., ERP, e-sourcing, contract lifecycle management tools) to improve visibility and decision-making.
• Define and track sourcing KPIs, savings realization, supplier performance, and risk indicators.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.

Experience

• 10–15 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply management.
• 5–8 years in a senior leadership or executive role within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide sourcing initiatives and managing complex spend portfolios.

Leadership & Skills

• Proven executive presence with the ability to influence across functions.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Experience working in matrixed, fast-paced operational environments.

Certifications (Preferred)

• CPSM, CIPS, APICS, or similar professional certifications.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement credentials a plus.