Vice President, Global Strategic Sourcing

Overview

The Vice President of Global Strategic Sourcing at Vantage Specialty Chemicals leads the company's worldwide sourcing strategy across both direct and indirect spend categories. This executive position is accountable for setting a forward-looking sourcing vision that promotes cost savings, supplier relationship optimization, risk reduction, and alignment of sourcing initiatives with corporate and operational goals. Additionally, the role oversees the leadership and performance development of the sourcing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the comprehensive global strategic sourcing function to ensure alignment with company objectives and regional business needs.
• Formulate and implement both short-term and long-term sourcing plans aimed at cost efficiency, improved supplier performance, resilience of supply, sustainability, innovation, and business expansion.
• Establish and manage a robust category management framework incorporating strategies, supplier segmentation, market analysis, cost modeling, and savings targets.
• Oversee critical supplier relationships by developing performance metrics, conducting business reviews, engaging executives, and fostering continuous improvement and partnership strategies.
• Lead negotiations on complex supplier contracts covering pricing, terms, quality, risk, and total cost ownership.
• Collaborate with various internal stakeholders including business unit leaders, operations, supply chain, finance, legal, quality, R&D, commercial, and regional teams to align sourcing with demand and technical requirements.
• Evaluate industry trends, market conditions, geopolitical risks, and capacity challenges to identify risks and proactively prepare mitigation measures.
• Develop and maintain business continuity and risk management plans including secondary sourcing and contingency planning.
• Manage supplier evaluations, sourcing events, RFP/RFQ processes, bid analyses, and supplier selections.
• Ensure sourcing strategies support innovation, sustainability, compliance, quality, customer commitments, and operational reliability.
• Mentor and develop the sourcing team to build capabilities, accountability, and leadership for the future.
• Provide executive updates on sourcing performance, savings, supplier management, and market conditions.
• Act as a strategic enabler and business partner within the company, promoting sourcing's value creation role.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, operations, engineering, chemistry, finance, or related field required. Advanced degrees or certifications in procurement or supply chain are preferred.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or related leadership roles.
• Proven success leading global sourcing in complex, multi-site organizations across direct and indirect categories.
• Experience managing major supplier relationships, negotiating complex contracts, and delivering impactful cost savings.
• Manufacturing background required; sectors such as chemicals, specialty ingredients, personal care, food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, consumer products, or related B2B manufacturing preferred.
• Expertise in supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, business continuity strategies, and building high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and collaborate across multiple business functions and regions.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong leadership and strategic sourcing capabilities including category and supplier relationship management.
• Business acumen linking sourcing decisions to cost, margin, working capital, innovation, and growth.
• Deep knowledge of global supplier markets, cost drivers, contract management, risk, and continuity planning.
• Ability to lead and influence in a global, matrixed environment aligning cross-functional stakeholders.
• Talent development and sourcing governance expertise.
• Familiarity with ERP and sourcing tools such as SAP, Ariba, Oracle, Coupa, and others.
• Excellent communication, presentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High professionalism with accountability, urgency, and business partnership focus.

Working Conditions and Travel

This role functions in a professional office environment with cross-regional and global interaction. It requires approximately 40% travel to company locations, supplier sites, and meetings worldwide.

Compensation

Salary ranges from $230,000 to $320,000 annually plus additional bonus and benefits.