Strategic Sourcing Director

General Purpose

Apply procurement expertise to manage strategic sourcing of essential materials and/or supply relationships, ensuring consistent procurement standards and activities. Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business goals and lead prominent, most complex, high financial impact, and/or large strategic sourcing initiatives. Apply best-in-class procurement processes and technology, working collaboratively with key internal business partners and ensuring early involvement of procurement expertise in innovation projects, managing special projects, driving procurement/ supplier initiatives to meet product, service, quality and overall supply requirements, and achieving cost savings objectives. Support the execution of major spend reduction initiatives being conducted at the executive level.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Function in an "expert" role for assigned categories and/or supply relationships on a national or major scale. Consult and collaborate with technical counterparts, cross-functional team members, and field procurement or operations to gain a thorough understanding of supply requirements that will meet/exceed customer requirements in a practical manner
• Initiate and lead cross-functional team efforts to reduce total system costs through strategic sourcing, component standardization, and/or use of substitute materials; seek out and adapt new supplier innovations and technologies that will result in overall operational effectiveness, simplification and cost reduction, while partnering with R&D, quality, operations, and commercial to ensure success
• Implement and administer tactical execution of sourcing strategies developed by the central procurement team
• Communicate and lead the resolution of procurement issues (field, internal departments, suppliers)
• Lead and provide project management updates to the procurement team as needed or requested, including plant trials, specification changes, new product launches, cost savings/avoidance opportunities, and all projects that require procurement presence
• Build strong value-adding relationships with suppliers, field and corporate personnel, and cross-functional teams
• Conduct periodic business reviews with key suppliers and internal business partners. Develop, implement, and manage processes for supply-related problem resolution and opportunity identification between users and suppliers that result in high levels of customer satisfaction
• Adopt new standards and best practices that elevate DFA's' procurement capabilities and effectiveness
• Meet or exceed cost reduction objectives for assigned categories, consistent with the overall annual operating plan. Track and report regularly on cost reductions achieved relative to goals
• Transfer and build knowledge to facilitate professional development to team members
• Follow up with leadership and key stakeholders at established intervals to keep apprised of evolving business needs, solicit feedback on performance, and agree on modified plans for prioritized activities in response to the evolving environment, with measurable deliverables
• Comply with DFA policies (e.g., financial policies, procurement policies, confidentiality, and risk management policies) and communicate policies to suppliers and stakeholders to minimize risks
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, supply chain management, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 10 or more years of progressive procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or related experience, preferably supporting a multi-plant, matrixed organization; successful experience leading cross-functional teams to develop and implement sourcing strategies
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of procurement, supply chain, and general business principles
• Expert knowledge of market and data analysis, supplier risk management and suppler performance, sourcing category strategy development, negotiation strategy, and contract development
• Strong knowledge of project management tools and techniques
• Strong process management and negotiating/influencing skills
• Solid executive presence; able to communicate with, present to, and influence executive leadership in a succinct and articulate way to facilitate effective decision making
• Able to analyze complex information and present data supporting procurement
• Able to balance between strategic and tactical responsibilities
• Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism; able to negotiate under pressure
• Able to work collaboratively with others and build consensus around key initiatives
• Able to develop and manage complex supplier relationships
• Able to work with a high-level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Able to lead multiple priorities and/or project teams, meet deadlines, and drive results
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans