Position Summary:

The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for the development of a strategic sourcing strategy to identify, select, and contract with suppliers that meet the university’s requirements for quality, cost, performance, and compliance. The Senior Sourcing Manager leads the data-driven category strategy development, identifying opportunities for cost savings, process efficiencies, enhanced customer service and risk mitigation tactics. The Senior Sourcing Manager leads the management of Requests for Proposals (RFP), key supplier negotiations, supplier performance and related contract deployment for the University.

The Senior Sourcing Manager establishes a procurement business partner framework, executes strategy across multiple functions/schools utilizing consultative skills to drive early engagement and provide professional procurement advice and services to stakeholders based on their business objectives, challenges, and strategy creating value for all parties. The Senior Sourcing Manager will measure, monitor, and recommend improvement to this framework on a quarterly basis.

In executing the approved sourcing strategies, the Senior Sourcing Manager is the primary interface between university stakeholders and suppliers for procurement contract development, negotiation and support including but not limited to Chief Business Officers and other Senior Executives.

The Senior Sourcing Manager may be required to supervise, and mentor Buyers and other team members. The Senior Manager provides leadership, coaching, and project/process support to meet all performance, operational and personnel objectives. The Senior Manager collaborates with the Buyers and other team members to proactively engage in sourcing projects, ensure contract utilization, and support ongoing supplier performance management. The Senior Manager also works closely with the Strategic Sourcing Analyst to develop data-driven category strategies and identify departmental savings opportunities.

As a member of the Procurement team, the Senior Sourcing Manager facilitates and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with Vanderbilt’s faculty, staff, and students and identifies additional ways to be of service. The Senior Manager is also responsible for developing and maintaining supplier relationships. This position contributes to the success of a high-performing Procurement organization by helping to champion and drive the full procure-to-pay process.

Support special projects and ad hoc analysis, as required.

About the Work Unit:

The Procurement and Payment Services team (PPS) serves as the single point of contact for the university’s procurement and payment activities. As part of Finance, PPS provides an integrated approach to purchasing goods and services by connecting the strategic negotiations and procurement function to the goods and services receipt process, and finally to payments issued to suppliers. PPS includes strategic sourcing and contracting, procurement operations, payment processing and accounting, expense reporting and payment cards as well as the university’s managed travel program.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Sourcing Strategy:  Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement sourcing strategies that align with organizational objectives.  Develop and document data-driven category (and subcategory) strategies aligned with the University vision, strategic initiatives, and principles. Develop an eProcurement strategy for respective category areas and collaborate closely with supplier to enable contracted suppliers in the eProcurement system. Supplier Identification and Management:  Identify potential suppliers through market research and evaluation, considering factors such as cost, quality, reliability, and delivery capabilities. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, monitor their performance, and implement strategies to address any issues or improvements. Cost Analysis:  Analyze supplier proposals, pricing structures, and total cost of ownership to make informed sourcing decisions that optimize cost efficiency.  Measure and manage supplier performance relative to contracted service levels. Identify and resolves supplier performance issues. Negotiation:  Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing agreements while maintaining quality standards considering Vanderbilt policies and customer requirements.  Market Research:  Track trends in the marketplace and actively monitor price indices applicable to category areas, identify new sources of supply and engage with potential and existing suppliers. Contract Management:  Establish master agreements, negotiate contracts, develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs), develop minority and local business plans, coordinate and collaborate with suppliers to request price quotes and proposals for goods and services in line with category strategies.  Ongoing monitoring and management of the contract lifecycle.  Quality Assurance:  Work with suppliers to ensure products or services meet established quality standards and specifications. Risk Assessment:  Cost Reduction:  Continuously seek opportunities to reduce costs through negotiation, process improvement, and supplier optimization. Stakeholder Management:  Partner with the University stakeholders to develop, implement and manage category strategies, incorporating, sustainability, inclusivity, and innovative sourcing solutions. Collaborate in the development of effective and efficient procurement policies and procedures. Best Practices:  Implement best practices and processes to optimize procurement efficiency, including the use of technology and automation tools where applicable. Monitor market trends, industry developments, and regulatory changes to identify potential risks and opportunities in the supply chain.  Develop and maintain risk mitigation plans inclusive of proactive risk identification and risk prevention, mitigation, and compliance with stakeholders. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their procurement needs and requirements, partnering throughout the procurement process.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Purchasing and Payment Services.

Education and Certifications:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary. A Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering or Supply Chain Management preferred.

Experience and Skills:

10+ years of related strategic sourcing and category management experience is necessary. Proven skill in attention to detail and a highly organized work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary.  Experience practicing best-in-class procurement processes (category management, benchmarking, should-cost models, RFX, reverse auction, contracting, etc.) is necessary. High degree of technical and soft skill proficiency with ability to independently execute with minimal guidance, is necessary. Ability to fully execute independently and coach others is preferred. Experience in leading Request for Proposal (RFP) projects and conducting competitive bidding is necessary. Ability to draft and negotiate procurement contracts is necessary. Strong track record  of simplifying and solving complex problems is preferred.,  Ability to dissect processes or projects into component parts and then explore and evaluate them systematically is preferred.  Ability to understand commercial imperatives and trading relationships is necessary. Strong quantitative, financial, and qualitative analytical skills paired with hands-on attitude, excellent attention to detail, and good business judgment is necessary.  Familiarity with supply chain, operational, cost, and financial analysis is necessary. Experience developing tools, reports, process maps, scorecards, and data visualizations that improve upon those currently employed for understanding the business and making decisions is necessary. Ability to analyze large amounts of data and distill it into an Executive level presentation is necessary. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people understanding their needs and goals is necessary.  Ability to work co-operatively with others as part of a team and work separately is necessary. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is necessary. Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, individuals or groups is necessary. Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is necessary. Ability to challenge systems, processes and people that block collaboration; connects people, ideas, processes and issues, sets an example by sharing resources; knowledge, ideas, and skills across the organization, builds helpful, productive relationships across the organization is necessary. Ability to utilize creativity to foster imagination, creativity, and experimentation, takes and promotes considered risks, celebrates creative successes, and learns from failure, shows openness to alternative ways of doing things is necessary. Substantial relevant experience in a complex organization, with a strong procurement and payables background is preferred. Ability to effectively communicate complex problems or projects is necessary. Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-past environment is necessary. Experience working with eProcurement platforms is preferred.