Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

SunSource • Bristol, TN

4d

About The Position

The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager develops and executes sourcing initiatives to optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, improve supply continuity, and support business growth. The position leads supplier negotiations, category management strategies, contract administration, and cross-functional sourcing projects for a national distributor serving industrial and mining customers across North America.

The role is a business partner to Operations, Inventory Management, Product Management, Sales, and Finance. It manages strategic supplier relationships across a portfolio of thousands of products and works with internal stakeholders to drive value, innovation, risk mitigation, customer service, profitability, and operational excellence. The role also supports supplier diversity, sustainability, and risk management initiatives where applicable, and requires travel as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience.
• 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.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively with senior leadership teams.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across assigned product categories to achieve cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and strong supplier performance.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, rebates, service-level agreements, and volume incentive programs with strategic suppliers.
• Manage supplier relationships and act as the primary escalation point for strategic sourcing and supplier-related issues.
• Review supplier performance using metrics such as cost, quality, delivery, service levels, and responsiveness.
• Identify supplier consolidation, strategic partnership, and long-term value creation opportunities.
• Evaluate and onboard new 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.
• Lead 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 strengthen market position.
• Negotiate and administer supplier contracts; ensure compliance with contractual obligations and purchasing policies.
• Maintain contract documentation and monitor renewals, rebates, and supplier commitments.
• Work 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, availability, and pricing issues.
• Collaborate with Product Specialists and Operations leaders to assess new product opportunities and supplier solutions.
• Provide senior leadership with recommendations on sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and market conditions.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor supply market conditions, 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 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.
• Travel as required.

What This Job Offers

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