Strategic Sourcing Manager (Direct Materials)

About Company:

Committed to an industry that combines innovation and responsibility, we embody our slogan on a daily basis: "A World of Opportunities". Trust, Reputation, Integrity and Rise are strong values that make up Clayens' DNA!

About the Role:

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading and managing the strategic sourcing activities for direct spend categories. This role involves identifying and implementing cost-effective procurement strategies, optimizing supplier relationships, and ensuring that non-product-related expenditures are aligned with business goals and objectives. The position requires a strong understanding of direct materials, experience supporting manufacturing, analytical skills, market knowledge, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Location: Remote

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, specifically for direct materials.
• Strong experience in managing resin materials supporting injection molding manufacturing processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or an MBA.
• Certification in Supply Chain Management (e.g., CPSM, CSCP) is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management:
  • Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for various direct raw material categories (e.g., resin, packaging, components, etc.).
  • Lead supplier selection and negotiation processes, ensuring optimal pricing, quality, and service levels.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring continuous improvement and value generation.
• Cost Optimization & Savings Initiatives:
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities through process improvements, supplier consolidation, and strategic negotiation.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive cost reduction initiatives and achieve savings targets.
  • Monitor and track savings performance against established goals.
• Market Intelligence & Trend Analysis:
  • Continuously monitor market conditions, industry trends, and supplier capabilities to inform sourcing strategies.
  • Conduct market research to assess potential suppliers and opportunities for innovation and efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Partner with internal business units (e.g., finance, legal, operations) to understand their needs and ensure sourcing strategies align with business goals.
  • Provide advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on sourcing best practices and supplier performance.
• Contract Management:
  • Oversee the negotiation and execution of contracts with suppliers, ensuring that terms and conditions protect the organization’s interests.
  • Ensure compliance with corporate policies and legal requirements.
• Risk Management:
  • Assess and mitigate risks related to supply chain disruptions, supplier performance, and contract compliance.
  • Develop contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply for critical materials.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
  • Track and report on the performance of suppliers and sourcing initiatives, providing regular updates to leadership.
  • Use data-driven insights to evaluate supplier performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Process Improvement & Best Practices:
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives in sourcing processes, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance.
  • Stay updated on best practices in sourcing, procurement technology, and trends to enhance overall sourcing effectiveness.

Skills:

• Hard-skills:
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
  • Experience: At least 10 years' experience in a strategic sourcing role managing raw materials.
  • Strong experience in managing resin materials supporting injection molding manufacturing process.
  • This position will require travel ~25%.
  • Strong knowledge of procurement processes, supply chain management, and strategy development process.
  • Expertise in supplier negotiation, contract management, and cost optimization.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization
  • Mastery of IT and office automation tools.
  • Fluent English and an additional language could be a plus (Spanish, French)
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Soft-skills:
  • Clear and concise communication
  • Conflict Resolution: Handle conflicts constructively and diplomatically, ensuring that issues are resolved in a way that maintains a positive working environment
  • Ability to evaluate situations, data, and processes to assess problems and develop strategies to improve quality outcomes
  • Decision Making: Making informed and timely decisions, especially in situations where there is uncertainty or ambiguity.
  • Managing Change: Ability to adapt to changes in industry standards, technology, or organizational priorities. This includes leading teams through change smoothly.