Purchasing Lead, Strategic Sourcing

BSD Business Consulting•Detroit, MI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Purchasing Lead will own and grow the strategic sourcing function at a growing digital marketing company in the automotive retail space. The role manages end-to-end sourcing for software, services, products, and indirect spend, with particular focus on digital marketing and advertising, technology, and general business spend. It develops sourcing strategies, policies, and procedures to help the company secure quality suppliers, favorable commercial terms, cost savings and avoidance, and reduced risk while supporting business growth. The position oversees due diligence, contract management, supplier management, competitive bids, negotiations, and sourcing awards. It partners with Security and Privacy on assessments of new or changing suppliers, and with Legal to finalize contracts. The Purchasing Lead applies financial analysis, especially Total Cost of Ownership, explains price drivers and total costs to business stakeholders, Finance, and the sourcing team, and documents savings. The role also presents sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations, analyses, negotiations, and risks to VP-level leaders and above. The position is hybrid in Detroit, Michigan, with in-office work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are not available.

Requirements

5+ years in strategic sourcing for marketing and IT spend, such as advertising, media, market research and analytics, PR, digital, web design, promotional materials, consulting services, staff augmentation, or software and related services.
5+ years of contract negotiation.
4+ years forming strategies and driving initiatives.
4+ years in digital media, advertising, and marketing industries.
4+ years in information technology, especially software, consulting, and staff augmentation.
Experience with ERP systems for purchasing or sourcing.
Fluency with AI-enabled tools and a practical sense of their limits.
Solid understanding of contract terms and conditions and their impact on the business.
Credibility with executive-level stakeholders.
A track record of end-to-end sourcing results.
Experience with contract management systems, ERP systems, and sourcing workflow tools.
Strong problem-solving, multitasking, and attention to detail, with a close-the-loop mindset.
Customer-service mindset, good judgment, high ethics, and a professional presence.
Ability to work independently and on a team, with a can-do attitude.
Strong organization, flexibility, and time management in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.
Excellent written, verbal, and listening skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience building or implementing a sourcing methodology is strongly preferred.
MBA or Finance degree.
Experience with tools such as Gatekeeper and NetSuite.

Responsibilities

Grow the sourcing function, educate the business, and drive adoption of the program at every level.
Develop, analyze, and update sourcing policies and procedures, and help business units engage the sourcing team within company guidelines.
Improve sourcing-event strategies so decisions focus on quality while reducing contract risk.
Create benchmarks for competitive rates and department performance, and take corrective action when targets are missed.
Track market conditions and adjust sourcing strategy as they change.
Use AI-based tools to improve the speed, accuracy, and quality of work.
Manage assigned indirect-spend categories and deliver annual cost savings through reduction and avoidance.
Negotiate contracts with selected suppliers for favorable commercial terms and conditions.
Evaluate and recommend suppliers in line with business-owner and company objectives.
Use a contract management tool to track and respond to assigned contract matters.
Lead competitive bid events and make sourcing awards.
Negotiate and issue company contract agreements and purchase-order terms and conditions.
Track invoices over the life of approved purchase orders for Finance as needed.
Review and approve single-source forms for purchases above the role’s threshold.
Support supplier risk assessments for new or changing third parties, covering financial, legal, security, and data-use review.
Build and improve training content based on team policies and processes.
Conduct due diligence and supplier management, including reviews of supplier capability, capacity, and track record.
Perform financial analysis, particularly Total Cost of Ownership; explain price drivers and total costs to business owners, Finance, and the sourcing team; and document savings delivered.
Partner with Legal to finalize contracts and present sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations, financial analyses, negotiations, and risks to VP-level leaders and above.