The individual will be responsible for, but not limited to, leading all facets of the North America Operations procurement requirements spanning 3 operating companies and $2B+ in expenditures annually.
Major Responsibilities- Partner with operating company Presidents and CFO’s in establishing strategic procurement initiatives that support the respective North America business entities goals and objectives.
- Establishing and executing Procurement strategies that support operating company expense control initiatives as well as supporting business growth within the company.
- Develop/Maintain supplier relationships and strategies leading to a world-class supply chain (cost, delivery and quality).
- Lead/Administer all aspects of procurement, supplier development, sourcing, collaboration, management, and execution of strategies within the department.
- Set supply chain metrics, goals and rewards to properly lead the procurement organization in executing strategic plans.
- Ensuring the Procurement Team is supportive of all key stakeholder requirements (other Shared Service organizations, Operations, suppliers, etc.) in providing exemplary customer service.
- Plans and directs all aspects of the system's supply chain policies, objectives, and initiatives.
- Responsible for achieving supply and service cost avoidance, containment and reduction objectives.
- Performs other duties as requested, in support of the North America operating companies.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 10+ Years of Procurement / Purchasing Leadership and Management experience, preferably within the transportation industry.
- Proven track record of effectively leading sourcing and procurement organizational activities in support of multiple operating companies yielding tangible business results.
- Experienced procurement professional with strong knowledge and expertise in multiple commodity sourcing facets with expert knowledge of policies, procedures and systems in leading a large scale procurement organization.
- Strategic ability to develop high impact sourcing strategies. Exhibits thought leadership.
- Excellent communication skills, oral and written including public speaking and presentations.
- Flexible self-starter willing to adjust to an environment with ever-changing priorities.
- In depth knowledge of key supply chain / logistics processes & current best practices.
- Strong leadership abilities both from a Procurement and Program Management perspective to ensure department and company success on varied responsibilities.
- Expectation of 10-20% travel both domestically and internationally (as required).
Language Requirement
This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.
First for a reason:
At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.
In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 10+ years of procurement, purchasing leadership, and management experience
- Procurement experience, preferably within the transportation industry
- Proven success leading sourcing and procurement activities for multiple operating companies with tangible business results
- Expert knowledge of multiple commodity sourcing functions, procurement policies, procedures, and systems
- Ability to develop high-impact sourcing strategies and demonstrate thought leadership
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentations
- Flexible self-starter able to adapt to changing priorities
- In-depth knowledge of supply chain and logistics processes and current best practices
- Strong leadership abilities in procurement and program management
- English proficiency
- Willingness to travel 10–20% domestically and internationally
What We Do
As the leading pupil transportation solutions provider for school districts in North America, First Student provides the best start and finish to every school day. Our teams complete five and a half million student journeys each day, moving more students than all U.S. airlines combined. We operate more than 44,500 vehicles in 41 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces/territories. What makes First Student the right choice for your school district's needs? Our partnerships: We believe great transportation is always the result of close, trusted partnerships with the school districts we serve. Understanding that needs change sometimes throughout the school year, our goal is to remain responsive to your district's needs. We work closely with school districts to ensure the transportation solutions we provide represent a collective, forward-thinking response to the needs of your district and community. Our engagement: We believe education offers a child – and their family – the foundation needed to lead a productive and successful life. We support education by making sure children have a safe and reliable way to get to and from school each day. Students start and end their school days with us, and we recognize the opportunity we have to impact each student’s day in a positive manner. Our people: Our people are our advantage. With a team of highly-trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, we’re able to leverage the best practices, technologies and processes needed to deliver quality, consistent service. Visit http://www.firststudentinc.com for more information about how First Student is Caring for students, today, tomorrow, together.®
