Manager Strategic Sourcing

Advantage Solutions•Irvine, CA

12d•Remote

About The Position

Advantage Solutions is a North American sales and marketing agency specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services for manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Manager, Strategic Sourcing reviews and analyzes global third-party expenses to identify opportunities for cost savings and avoidance. The role uses spreadsheets to analyze data and prepare reports for sourcing decisions, evaluates changes or new requirements in third-party spend categories, and manages relationships with manufacturers and other goods and service providers. The position manages and implements sourcing projects and may assist with projects from other departments. The manager oversees purchasing programs, category spend, contracts, vendors, budgets, and sourcing operations. The role also leads and develops direct reports and may provide guidance to indirect reports. Travel is an essential duty, up to 5%; driving is not an essential duty. Work is primarily performed in an office environment and includes extended periods of sitting, computer data entry, and potentially lifting up to 10 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Field of study in Business, Supply, Finance, or Economics.
8 or more years of experience in expense management or strategic sourcing/procurement.
2 or more years of supervisor experience.
Analytical and research skills.
Ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Project management skills.
Strong prioritization skills.
Well-organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web browsers.

Responsibilities

Manage purchases of goods and services for the Company, obtaining quality products at competitive prices in a timely manner.
Identify and execute savings opportunities for strategic sourcing categories.
Oversee day-to-day operations of new and existing programs.
Analyze spend and manage contracts, vendor relationships, internal operations, policies, communications, and reporting for assigned programs.
Work with Strategic Sourcing Managers and Analysts to solicit proposals and renegotiate contracts upon expiration.
Assist with and lead the integration of future Company acquisitions into purchasing programs and processes.
Create and maintain specifications for assigned programs.
Perform category spend analysis and exception reporting, including non-approved spend, pricing discrepancies, minimum order charges, and emergency order fees.
Gather divisional leaders’ feedback on vendor performance and develop and implement actions to improve service and cost.
Manage budgets for spend categories and work with company leadership to effect changes.
Identify, propose, implement, and communicate cost-saving, operational-efficiency, and policy-change opportunities across sourcing expense categories.
Lead sourcing for new spend categories, including identifying categories and alternate suppliers and negotiating agreements.
Manage relationships with manufacturers and goods and services providers.
Partner with internal and external peers, staff, management, and customers; negotiate critical matters and promote ideas that can influence decisions and encourage new ideas.
Hire, retain, train, coach, guide, direct, and develop direct reports using company-wide processes, tools, and resources.
May delegate work and provide guidance, direction, and mentoring to indirect reports.
Travel up to 5%.