Senior Manager, Supplier Management

W.W. Grainger • Lake Forest, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products and solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. Known for its commitment to service and award-winning culture, the Company had 2024 revenue of $17.2 billion across its two business models. In the High-Touch Solutions segment, Grainger offers approximately 2 million maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and services, including technical support and inventory management. In the Endless Assortment segment, Zoro.com offers customers access to more than 14 million products, and MonotaRO.com offers more than 24 million products. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.

We ask that you have holistic business understanding and systemic thinking, analytical mindset and collaboration skills. The Senior Manager, Supplier Management role has North American strategic responsibility for the supplier relationships and cost of goods sold across multiple product categories which range from $200M - $400M in COGS to $400M, $400 M to $800 M in sales. You will work with Grainger International to guide a North American strategy with aligned suppliers. You will negotiate profitable business, ensure the implementation and compliance to agreements both with the customer and field-based sales resources and Grainger resources.

You will report to the Director, Supplier Management.

This is a hybrid position that is based onsite in Lake Forest or Chicago 3 days a week.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree BS/BA degree in engineering, technology, marketing or business preferred
• 7+ years business experience with a working knowledge of Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Cost Accounting, Finance and Economics required
• Comfortable building and delivering presentations to management, staff and field audiences
• Understanding of Our business direction, customer requirements, supply management-marketing strategy, and demand generation fulfillment process
• Experience driving and demonstrating results
• Experience with suppliers, customers, Grainger's strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• Clear knowledge of the negotiation process
• Change Management skills by inspiring teams to welcome change, embrace new directions, and future opportunities
• Anticipate change and prepare for it by defining goals, responsibilities and time frames

Responsibilities

• Negotiate Win-Win Solutions: Develop and implement SRM plans by working directly with supplier leadership of strategic suppliers to assure Grainger's goals are met. Use supplier relationships to meet end-to-end needs across the business to improve customer and team member experience and grow revenue Develop relationships with vendor partners, focusing on assortment plans, product cost, pricing, logistics, volume rebates, etc. Develop deep supplier relationships with strategic suppliers to include data review and analysis, performance management and development and improvement of end-to-end value, and bring innovation to the business
• Manage complex supplier relationships: Be the single contact for supplier and internal partners for all supplier related issues Develop the vision, strategy and implementation plan for specific strategic supplies to meet the strategies and long-range requirements to deliver the maximum value for Grainger Build relationships with suppliers in North America. Will work with decision makers within the supplier's organization including Vice Presidents, Presidents and CEOs Lead efforts to help improve supplier relationships Collaborate with merchant and other partners to review impact of inbound management issues on national brand product assortment sourcing strategy and determine action plan Design a price/cost management strategy, which provides market competitive pricing Implement processes to monitor division satisfaction with suppliers and the central sourcing department Support the Supplier Performance Manager in the collection, synthesis and communication and feedback of performance metrics Inbound from supplier (examples): supplier-driven product discontinuations, procure to pay issues, manufacturing issues, supplier relationship severance, product underperformance (damages, quality, warranty, etc.), product cost change (cost season and other one-offs), new product development opportunities Outbound to supplier (examples): sales force, quotes, RFP, cross-reference, and sourcing support, SSGP, escalations to guide partner needs (PI, compliance, legal, supplier performance, Zoro, etc.), proactive management of commodity adjustments and business environment changes (bankruptcy, sale of supplier, market changes, etc.)
• Achieve Results Through Others: Coach team to guide results through others with focus on improving gross margin, category ROIC & Economic Earnings, supplier performance, and product information Lead teams to ensure product compliance with all US and appropriate foreign regulations
• Within the product category review (PCR) process: Gather feedback on national brand supplier performance (field support, supply chain performance, product information, customer service, etc.) Evaluate current national brand supplier cost positions Document national brand supply recommendations Collaborate with merchant on national brand product assortment sourcing strategy Develop national brand supplier sourcing strategy Establish relationships with national brand suppliers Conduct / finalize cost negotiations guided by product assortment strategy Negotiate favorable terms and support for growing the business

Benefits

• With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees