Strategic Sourcing Manager, Sr. India

Position summary

• The Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing, is responsible for the overall procurement strategy of the group including supplier negotiation, management and performance. He/she manages suppliers of related services, and will develop all aspects of the supplier portfolio. The Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing, interacts frequently with senior, executive and board level contacts both internally and externally. This Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing formulates and delivers a strategy for a portfolio of product groups that supports the overall company and department objectives. He/she selects and manages suppliers to deliver financial benefits, achieve performance targets and exceed quality and service standards. The position is responsible for negotiating commercial terms with suppliers on behalf of the group; represent the department at formal and informal meetings (both internally and externally); sell the portfolio strategy, tactics and performance to clients; and support the internal account teams, as required. The Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing develops a technical understanding and competence in each product area and understands the wider supply market in each product area.

Job qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience within a procurement and/or supplier management role.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a client or customer service environment.
• A minimum of four (4) years of prior experience in financial analysis, managing financial reporting or cost controls, etc. strongly preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree in related field. A combination of education and work experience may be substituted.
• In-depth knowledge of appropriate commercial models and approaches to achieve best in class deals (i.e., vendor selection, outsource versus join venture, yield, capacity review).
• Global market supply and business knowledge pertinent to appropriate spend segments coupled with the ability to rapidly acquire and use new skills and information.
• Broad range of experience of environmental, vendor diversity, ethical sourcing and other initiatives.
• Blue chip relevant segment expertise in the appropriate spend sector is preferred. (To be defined based upon business requirements at time of hiring in area such as print, mail, commercial print, POS, equipment, telecom, etc.)
• Sound knowledge of financial evaluation tools, including business case preparation, case presentation to boards of directors and all relevant intermediary steering groups is desirable.
• Excellent contract negotiation skills.
• In-depth experience and a successful track record in commercial negotiations.
• Detailed commercial contractual knowledge with the ability to develop innovative sourcing strategies.
• Prior responsibility for major procurement decisions.
• Extensive contacts and expertise of the supplier/vendor marketplace.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to executive board level both internally and externally.
• Exceptional negotiation skills within a matrixed environment with experience negotiating major contracts,
• Proven record of exceptional customer satisfaction, troubleshooting and resolution.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Successful record of team management, motivation and development.
• Proven ability to handle stressful situations and deadline pressures.
• Strong and effective decision-making skills necessary to manage complex operations.
• Clear track record of inspired leadership and high achievement.

Supervision

• Number and title(s) of direct reports (if any): This position may manage 1-2 Strategic Sourcing Managers
• Received: Director of Strategic Sourcing

Job relationships

• Internal: This position works closely with Director of Strategic Sourcing
• External: Regularly interacts with members of the account teams and operation teams. Regularly interacts with external vendors.

Job duties

(* denotes an “essential function”)

Client/Vendor Relationship Management

• To ensure that clients and vendors are managed in a proactive, professional manner and that their expectations are not only met but exceeded. 
• Develop long-term sustainable relationships with key decision makers in vendor/client organizations.
• Responsible for the immediate resolution of significant concerns/issues raised by vendors.
• Develop relationships with users in order to validate service levels and identify new business opportunities.
• Provide proactive, insightful ideas and solutions for consideration based on best practices and industry expertise.
• Develop strategies to capture viable business opportunities, presenting and communicating to clients.

Financial Management

• Ensure that all financial savings targets are achieved within a framework of absolute financial control and that new business savings targets are achieved through liaison with the Account Director responsible and the vendors.
• Responsible for overall financial performance of each vendor contract.
• Ensure that business proposals are financially viable.
• Evaluate the operational and financial feasibility of new vendor offerings.
• Ensure a structured plan for profit enhancement through vendor savings is in place and is regularly revised.

Business Development and Business Planning

• Acquire strategic level understanding of how vendor management supports the objectives of driving down process and production costs while enhancing savings.
• Aid Director of Strategic Sourcing– Steady State and Account Directors in managing the contract renewal process.
• Manage the implementation of new vendor services.
• Take relevant products and services to market (utilizing all relevant procurement tools; i.e. e-auction, etc.) to negotiate contracts (price and service) with relevant approved vendors.
• Support the management of the transfer of production of products and services from incumbent suppliers to new vendors when and where appropriate.
• Develop future sourcing strategy that mirrors future business objectives (new from existing business).

Operational Management

• Foster a culture of excellence and ensure continuous improvement through the use of best practices.
• Build relationships with support departments and key external suppliers, as appropriate.
• Successfully implement new vendor contracts/services.  Troubleshoot daily and on-going issues between vendors, suppliers, and client ensuring client service excellence. Ensure compliance with all vendor and supplier contracts.
• Develop and manage on-going vendor/supplier management processes ensuring vendor/supplier product quality and competitive cost values.
• Provide senior level input in vendor contract negotiations when required.
• Ensure an outward focus on the supply base, proactively investigating supply market tracking.
• Receptive to change and innovation.
• Oversee the application and compliance of sourcing.
• Set and implement operational standards, ensuring appropriate uniformity.

People Management and Development (where applicable)

To attract, retain and develop great people, ensuring that strategic resourcing plans are in place within your area of responsibility.

• Coach and develop direct reports to maximize their potential.
• Manage the succession planning process for team.
• Implement management objectives for direct reports. Ensure all staff is aware of objectives.
• Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and leading edge procurement concepts as appropriate.
• Maintain regular contact with peer group and network with other resources and specialists when appropriate.
• Manage the overall effectiveness of the team’s performance.

Working conditions

Works in an office environment