Director of Strategic Procurement

About the Role

A manufacturing company experiencing growth is seeking a seasoned strategic procurement leader to direct sourcing, supplier management, and procurement activities across several North American sites. This position entails managing substantial yearly expenses while driving cost efficiencies, reducing supply chain risks, and leading a skilled procurement team to support operational excellence and business expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate long-term procurement strategies aligned with forecasted demand, production schedules, and company goals.
• Ensure suppliers have adequate capacity and that materials are accessible to meet operational needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams via Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to detect and lessen supply risks.
• Direct strategic sourcing projects, supplier negotiations, and oversee contract management.
• Develop and implement category strategies for critical direct and indirect procurement categories.
• Drive competitive bidding processes, supplier selection, and initiatives focused on cost reduction.
• Oversee supplier onboarding, contract renewals, and procurement governance standards.
• Establish supplier risk assessment programs and develop strategies to maintain supply continuity including alternative sourcing.
• Conduct regular supplier performance assessments focusing on quality, delivery, costs, innovation, and service.
• Maintain supplier scorecards and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and grow the procurement team fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Work closely with operations and manufacturing to enhance inventory management and minimize supply interruptions.
• Develop and use procurement KPIs and analytics to inform data-driven decisions.
• Champion procurement transformation efforts emphasizing process improvements, automation, and scalability.
• Identify and implement cost savings and efficiency improvements throughout the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Over 12 years of experience in procurement and sourcing, including leadership roles within manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success in procurement transformation, strategic sourcing, and supplier management.
• Strong skills in negotiation, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience utilizing procurement metrics, spend analytics, and performance reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Procurement, or related discipline.
• Preferred certifications such as CPSM or APICS/CPIM and/or advanced degrees.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and advanced analytical capabilities preferred.
• Willingness to travel roughly 20 to 30 percent of the time.