Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

SunSource • Bristol, TN

5d

About The Position

United Central Industrial Supply, a SunSource company, is seeking a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager to develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, improve supply continuity, and support business growth. The role leads supplier negotiations, category management strategies, contract administration, and cross-functional sourcing projects for a national distributor serving industrial and mining customers throughout North America.

The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager partners with Operations, Inventory Management, Product Management, Sales, and Finance to ensure sourcing decisions support customer service, profitability, and competitive market positioning. The role manages supplier relationships across a portfolio of thousands of products and drives value, innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence.

The role also supports branch and regional leadership, participates in supplier and industry meetings, develops sourcing training, supports inventory optimization, implements company sourcing policies, and travels as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 7–10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience.
• At least 3–5 years of experience leading complex supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience managing high-spend categories and working with large supplier networks.
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively with senior leadership teams.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), spend analysis and reporting tools, supplier relationship management systems, contract management platforms, and standard office equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent.
• AS400 experience.
• Familiarity with industrial distribution, mining, manufacturing, or related industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across assigned product categories to ensure cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and supplier performance.
• Lead negotiations with strategic suppliers for pricing, payment terms, rebates, service-level agreements, and volume incentive programs.
• Manage supplier relationships and act as the primary escalation point for strategic sourcing and supplier issues.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews using cost, quality, delivery, service-level, and responsiveness metrics.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, strategic partnerships, and long-term value creation.
• Evaluate and onboard suppliers to support growth, risk mitigation, and category expansion.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, and industry conditions to identify cost-reduction and margin improvement opportunities.
• Develop and execute category management plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• Drive sourcing initiatives that improve profitability while maintaining product quality and customer service.
• Partner with Pricing, Product Management, and Sales leadership on competitive pricing strategies.
• Evaluate product offerings and sourcing alternatives to improve the company’s market position.
• Lead contract negotiations and manage supplier agreements to meet commercial and operational objectives.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and company purchasing policies.
• Maintain contract documentation and monitor renewals, rebates, and supplier commitments.
• Collaborate with Legal and Finance on contract reviews and supplier risk assessments.
• Partner with Inventory Management to improve forecasting accuracy, inventory availability, and inventory turns.
• Support branch operations and sales teams in resolving sourcing challenges, product availability concerns, and pricing issues.
• Collaborate with Product Specialists and Operations leaders to evaluate product opportunities and supplier solutions.
• Recommend sourcing strategies, supplier performance actions, and market responses to senior leadership.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor supply markets, geopolitical risks, and supplier performance factors that could affect operations.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical products and suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers meet company standards for quality, safety, compliance, and ethical business practices.
• Support supplier diversity, sustainability, and risk management initiatives where applicable.
• Assist branch and regional leadership with sourcing, supplier performance, and competitive pricing concerns.
• Participate in supplier visits, industry conferences, trade shows, and business meetings.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and market assessments.
• Develop and deliver sourcing-related training programs for employees and stakeholders.
• Support inventory optimization and excess inventory reduction programs.
• Implement and enforce company policies and sourcing procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management and travel as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior