JOB DESCRIPTION
A North American manufacturer located in New England is looking for their next Procurement Leader. They will be responsible for the strategy and execution of all direct and indirect spend, leading the sourcing team, and managing relationships between the procurement organization and facility manufacturing operations. Supporting facility-level procurement, they will provide leadership, strategic thinking, and expertise on facility operations, material cost management, supply continuity, strategic sourcing, and project execution. Must have demonstrated success in contract negotiations and improving supplier quality. Executing excellent stakeholder management, crisis mitigation, and influencing skills are required and critical to success.
The Procurement Leader is responsible for the facility's procurement performance, leading the strategy and negotiations for direct materials(copper, steel, aluminum), managing the category team in local requirements and suppliers for subcontracting, and leading Indirect category buyers and Supplier Quality activities, ensuring follow-up and implementation at the facility level. Direct material spend is critical to business success, representing nearly 90% of annual revenue.
KEY ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy Planning and Standard Development
- Oversee all aspects of planning, procurement, vendor management, materials cost, and inventory management
- Interface with the Facility and Procurement organization for all Direct and Indirect material related matters, including Supplier Quality
- Partner with operations to provide the necessary raw materials to support the production schedule. Lead discussions with suppliers when materials need to be expedited.
- Develop, lead, and execute sourcing strategies.
- Analyze data, review negotiated prices and terms, and work with suppliers to negotiate win-win solutions and long-term partnerships.
- Implementing cost-effective processes to increase transactional efficiencies and decrease overall costs.
- Support Program Procurement activities (quoting, sourcing, contracting) for local commodities and suppliers.
- Implement KPIs to monitor and improve performance results, reduce expenses, and improve effectiveness.
- Lead interactions with vendors concerning price negotiations.
- Develop and execute vendor supply agreements.
- Manage, coach, and develop the local Procurement team (Facility buyer, Indirect buyer, Supplier Quality) by setting challenging and achievable goals.
- Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer-supplier power
- Provide cost and scenario analysis and benchmarking
- Create a system that allows formal feedback to suppliers when expectations aren’t met (late delivery, unusable material, etc.); process needs to include reimbursement when appropriate.
- Proactively research and establish contacts with potential new vendors to develop additional suppliers.
- Lead and develop a productive and engaged team through effective coaching, priority setting, performance management, and talent management.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
An ability to work within a team environment and support the organization to realize company goals .Experience managing and improving planning and forecasting processes.Clear understanding of materials operations, planning, and inventory control in a lean manufacturing environment.Self-starter with integrity and confidence who strives to achieve even the most challenging objectives with limited supervision.Must be comfortable using information systems, data, and technology to make decisions and improve performance.Results-oriented professionals able to solve problems and implement change.Commodity-based sourcing experience with an interest in international market dynamicsDemand forecasting, inventory, and supply managementEXPECTATIONS
Grow international and domestic supply baseCoordinate with parent organization on sourcing strategy to drive value and supplier quality and promote more interaction between facilities.Reduce commodity spend to increase profitabilityMentor and elevate the skills of the sourcing teamEDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering or equivalent.Eight or more years of progressive experience in purchasing and sourcing commodities in a manufacturing environment, delivering outstanding results.LEADERSHIP SKILLS / BEHAVIORS
Performance : Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line and value creation oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results. Models Core Values in every aspect of the job requirements.Visionary : Sees the big picture of business, organization, and team goals with an ability to align and communicate that vision to drive and achieve strategic change and growth.Customer Focus : Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.Change Orientation : A change leader. Creates effective plans to promote change; knows how to manage in changing circumstances; strongly advocates an independent point of view but can be counted on to execute management decisions and strategies; understands the need for change before being told; seizes opportunities. Able to work across the organization to gain support and buy-in for new initiatives.Personal Leadership : Blends people into teams when needed; creates strong morale and spirit in his / her team; shares wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their work; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging in the group, inspires accountability.Passion : Is excited by the challenge of growing a profitable business. Loves to win and exceed objectives. Strives to achieve both individually and especially as a team. Have a contagious enthusiasm and the energy to work through obstacles as they arise intelligently.Trust : Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidence; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him / herself for personal gain.Dealing with Ambiguity : Self-sufficient. Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn't upset when things are up in the air; doesn't have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.Command Skills : Relishes leading; takes unpopular stands if necessary; encourages direct and tough debate but isn't afraid to end it and move on; is looked to for direction in a crisis; faces adversity head-on; energized by tough challenges.Conflict Management : Steps up to conflicts, seeing them as opportunities; reads situations quickly; good at focused listening; can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably; can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.Decision Making : Makes good decisions, balancing short and long-term objectives, based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; most of his / her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions.Directing Others : Is good at establishing clear directions; sets stretching objectives; distributes the workload appropriately; lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner; maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results; brings out the best in people; is a clear communicator and deals with problems directly and decisively.Collaboration : Can develop strong relationships with leaders at all levels and company responsibility areas. This will be particularly important in generating a sense of mission, high energy, and commitment to success among leaders who are just becoming familiar with the concepts and methodologies associated with Six Sigma and Lean. Leverages cross-functional capabilities to strengthen and enrich the strategic sourcing processFocusing on Action and Outcomes : Positive “can do” attitude, willing to learn, teach, and be a change agent within the company. Attacks everything with drive, energy, and a sense of urgency; not afraid to initiate action before all the facts are known; drives to finish everything he / she starts.
