Senior Category Procurement Manager - Logistics

Walgreens•Deerfield, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Leads a team in developing, executing, and implementing short- and long-term logistics procurement strategies, from identifying procurement needs through delivery. Strategies support company goals for cost reduction and financial performance while managing supplier relationships. The role manages key logistics categories, including inbound transportation (ocean, drayage, truckload, LTL, intermodal, and parcel), fleet operations, final-mile delivery, warehouse automation, and maintenance services. It negotiates and coordinates the purchase of logistics services at optimal cost, assesses supplier priorities against business needs, and advises senior management and subject matter experts on alternatives, risks, total cost of ownership, and business impacts. The manager provides oversight and feedback to direct and indirect reports and serves as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders. The role calls for transportation expertise, commercial acumen, complex RFP and contract negotiation experience, supplier relationship management, market intelligence, strategic initiative leadership, team development, data-driven decision-making, analytical skills, executive communication, cross-functional leadership, and independent management of high-impact projects. This position is based in Walgreens’ Deerfield, Illinois office and is onsite four days a week. Travel of at least 10% may be required for business purposes, within and outside the state.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of experience in procurement, retail, catalog, finance, and/or banking; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED and at least 7 years of experience in those fields.
Experience leading a business through procurement lifecycles and applying procurement best practices.
Experience leading negotiations and developing and executing procurement strategies.
Experience influencing internal and external resources to develop strategies that meet department goals within budget and established timelines.
Experience managing people, projects, and/or cross-functional teams.
At least 2 years of experience contributing to financial decisions in the workplace.
At least 2 years of direct leadership, indirect leadership, and/or cross-functional team leadership.
Willingness to travel at least 10% of the time for business purposes, within and outside the state.
Transportation and supply chain expertise across multiple modes.
Knowledge of strategic sourcing, RFPs, and contract management.
Experience in supplier relationship and performance management.
Experience coaching, mentoring, and training staff.
Executive communication and presentation skills.
Skills in analytics, financial modeling, and data storytelling.
Cross-functional stakeholder management skills.
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least 5 years of experience negotiating deals.
Intermediate-level skill in Microsoft Excel.
Intermediate-level skill in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Intermediate-level skill in Microsoft Word.

Responsibilities

Direct team activity and execute category strategies, sourcing best practices, and initiatives to improve supplier quality, total cost, service levels, coordination, delivery, pricing, lead times, payment, and risk compliance.
Provide leadership, oversight of work quality, and constructive feedback to direct reports; collaborate with and influence leaders outside the category’s span of control.
Execute category sourcing strategies, including developing and conducting RFIs and RFPs, documenting supplier bid events, developing selection criteria, selecting suppliers with cross-functional teams, negotiating, and managing suppliers.
Streamline business processes and research and provide information on industry trends and best practices.
Provide procurement input to maximize leverage, optimize project design, and minimize project duration and cost.
Develop negotiation strategies, align stakeholders, lead cross-functional category negotiation teams, and implement supplier risk analysis.
Negotiate directly with suppliers whose services are strategically important to Walgreens’ operational needs and goals.
Use spend data and business knowledge to identify sourcing projects for subcategories and develop cost-reduction plans.
Develop and defend category strategies and decisions using sound analytics; delegate analytical work to support functions and synthesize results.
Develop supplier scorecards, track performance against KPIs and compliance, and support formal reporting to the director and senior management.
Benchmark, track, and analyze annual performance metrics and sourcing trends against budget monthly.
Implement supplier management programs with key suppliers, including metrics, performance goals, and improvement initiatives.
Monitor supplier delivery and compliance with technical and contractual requirements.
Participate in strategic meetings with suppliers and business leaders to support execution of defined strategies.
Manage ongoing category supplier relationships, identify growth or revision opportunities, resolve supplier complaints, conduct regular supplier meetings, and implement supplier improvement strategies.
Manage category performance against savings goals and review financial models for commodity-type items.
Balance recurring managed spend through coordinated sourcing waves and leverage capital project sourcing activities.
Consolidate spend and identify synergies across business units by forming and leading cross-functional sourcing teams and implementing category and commodity strategies.
Lead weekly cross-functional category review meetings to manage category performance.
Build team morale, motivation, and loyalty through training, mentorship, clear communication, and constructive feedback.