Manager, Strategic Sourcing Retail Operations

Pilot Company•Knoxville, TN

About The Position

The Strategic Sourcing Manager – Retail Operations is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that support retail store operations across store supplies, consumables, packaging, equipment, and outsourced services. This role ensures cost competitiveness, supplier performance, operational continuity, and alignment with store needs while driving value through strategic sourcing, supplier innovation, and process optimization.

Requirements

Experience in retail sourcing or procurement.
Strong knowledge of indirect categories and store operations.
Expertise in negotiation, analytics, and supplier management.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain multi-year category strategies for store supplies, packaging, store equipment, and store services.
Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and cost modeling.
Identify cost reduction and value creation opportunities.
Lead RFx processes from requirements through award.
Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, service levels, and contracts.
Standardize SKUs and drive demand aggregation across stores.
Establish supplier segmentation and governance model.
Conduct quarterly business reviews with key suppliers.
Drive supplier performance improvements and innovation initiatives.
Partner with retail operations, store managers, and facilities.
Ensure sourcing decisions support store efficiency and customer experience.
Act as escalation point for supply disruptions.
Track and report savings, cost avoidance, and cost trends.
Monitor budget adherence and spend under management.
Ensure contracts include clear SLAs and compliance terms.
Manage supply continuity risks and supplier health.
Drive sustainable packaging and sourcing.
Partner with suppliers on waste reduction.
Drive adoption of procurement tools and improve store ordering processes.