Manager Strategic Sourcing

Manager Strategic Sourcing

Advantage Solutions is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

We are seeking a highly dynamic Manager, Strategic Sourcing, to review and analyze global third-party expenses and identifies opportunities for cost savings and avoidance.They will be required to use spreadsheets to analyze data and build reports to be used in sourcing decisions. They will analyze changes or new requirements in third-party spend categories. The role manages relationships with manufacturers and other goods and service providers. They will be required to manage and implement sourcing projects and from time to time may be required to help manage and/or assist with projects from other departments.

Job Duties

Execution

• Manage various goods or service purchases for the Company to use. 
• Responsible for obtaining quality products for competitive prices in a timely fashion
• Identify and execute savings opportunities for strategic sourcing categories
• Oversee and manage day to day operations of new and existing programs
• Analyze spend and manage the contracts, vendor relationships, internal operations, policies, communications and reporting for the assigned program
• Work with the Strategic Sourcing Managers and Analysts to solicit proposals and re-negotiate existing contracts upon contract expiration
• Assist and lead integrating future Company acquisitions to purchasing programs and processes
• Create and maintain specifications for the assigned program
• Perform category spend analysis and exception reporting for example, non-approved spend items, pricing discrepancies, minimum order charges, emergency order fees
• Facilitate feedback from divisional leaders regarding vendor performance and develop and implement actions to improve service and cost 
• Actively manage the budget for all spend categories and work with company leadership to affect changes
• Identify, propose, implement and communicate opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies and policy changes across all sourcing expense categories 
• Spearhead sourcing new spend categories as appropriate, including identifying new categories to source, identifying alternate suppliers, and negotiating new agreements
• Manage relationships with manufacturers and goods and services providers
• Partner with internal and external peers, staff, management and customers in order to maintain positive interpersonal relationships requiring negotiation of critical matters and promote improvement ideas that can influence decisions and encourage new ideas

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

- Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

- May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

- Travel is an essential duty and function of this job. Driving is not an essential duty or function of this job. 

- Travel up to 5%

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience                        

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Business, Supply Finance or Economics

8+ Years of experience in Expense Management or Strategic Sourcing/Procurement

2+ Years Supervisor experience

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Analytical and Research skills
• Ability to direct, lead, coach and develop people
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Project Management skills
• Strong Prioritization skills
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers

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The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Job Duty

Execution

• Manage various goods or service purchases for the Company to use. 
• Responsible for obtaining quality products for competitive prices in a timely fashion
• Identify and execute savings opportunities for strategic sourcing categories
• Oversee and manage day to day operations of new and existing programs
• Analyze spend and manage the contracts, vendor relationships, internal operations, policies, communications and reporting for the assigned program
• Work with the Strategic Sourcing Managers and Analysts to solicit proposals and re-negotiate existing contracts upon contract expiration
• Assist and lead integrating future Company acquisitions to purchasing programs and processes
• Create and maintain specifications for the assigned program
• Perform category spend analysis and exception reporting for example, non-approved spend items, pricing discrepancies, minimum order charges, emergency order fees
• Facilitate feedback from divisional leaders regarding vendor performance and develop and implement actions to improve service and cost 
• Actively manage the budget for all spend categories and work with company leadership to affect changes
• Identify, propose, implement and communicate opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies and policy changes across all sourcing expense categories 
• Spearhead sourcing new spend categories as appropriate, including identifying new categories to source, identifying alternate suppliers, and negotiating new agreements

Relationships

• Manage relationships with manufacturers and goods and services providers
• Partner with internal and external peers, staff, management and customers in order to maintain positive interpersonal relationships requiring negotiation of critical matters and promote improvement ideas that can influence decisions and encourage new ideas

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

- Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

- May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

- Travel is an essential duty and function of this job. Driving is not an essential duty or function of this job. 

- Travel up to 5%

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required):    Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience                        

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Business, Supply Finance or Economics

8+ Years of experience in Expense Management or Strategic Sourcing/Procurement

2+ Years Supervisor experience

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Analytical and Research skills
• Ability to direct, lead, coach and develop people
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Project Management skills
• Strong Prioritization skills
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Sedentary Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job.  Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds. 

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law.  The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes.  Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.