Strategic Sourcing Lead

Schneider Electric•Buffalo, NY

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Sourcing Lead provides overall management and leadership of Schneider Electric’s supply chain and logistics operations supporting its Direct to Chip Liquid Cooling, Data Center & IT Cooling, and Thermal Management product lines. These products support the company’s cooling technologies for supercomputers, high-performance computing, AI, data centers, and critical process cooling. The role develops supply channels and performance indicators, leads strategic sourcing plans, manages purchasing specialists and company logistics, influences business decisions, and contributes to corporate strategy. The position develops sourcing strategies and supplier relationships, delivers cost savings, mitigates supply and business risks, and coordinates with Engineering, New Product Development, Operations, Finance, and other stakeholders. It also manages supplier programs, sourcing agreements, logistics, and metrics while supporting responsible sourcing, supplier diversity, risk management, and sustainability initiatives. This is an onsite role based at the Cheektowaga, New York office, with attendance required five days per week and up to 25% annual travel. The position reports to the Cooling Operations Integration Director.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or Economics from an accredited institution; related experience may be evaluated in place of the preferred MBA.
At least 7 years of experience negotiating and managing OEM and supplier agreements in a manufacturing environment.
Experience using ERP systems such as Dynamics, SAP, Acumatica, or similar.
Proven experience as a buyer or strategic sourcing professional, with in-depth knowledge of sourcing concepts and best practices across a variety of categories.
Experience leading sourcing events such as RFIs and RFPs.
Strong negotiation and networking skills.
Ability to build quantitative and qualitative business cases, communicate them effectively, and gain senior leadership support.
Proven record of delivering results in cross-functional environments.
Experience providing financial and market analysis.
Experience participating in executive-level strategic planning.
Ability to combine vision, ingenuity, and business acumen with project management and leadership skills.
Ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
Strong organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines.
Track record of leading and participating in cross-functional improvement efforts.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work onsite at the Cheektowaga, NY office five days per week and travel up to 25% per year.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Knowledge of contractual terms and practices in the High-Performance Computing industry, including experience with major CPU/GPU companies.
Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Responsibilities

Establish long-term cost-improvement strategies for strategic sourcing categories in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
Measure and report annual savings and avoidance targets, with independent verification from internal Finance partners.
Maximize business value while mitigating risk through quantitative and qualitative methods.
Establish and maintain executive-level supplier relationships.
Create and manage a supplier relationship program that segments suppliers by criticality and establishes appropriate touchpoints, forecasting, escalation paths, cost controls, dual-sourcing strategies, and partner-of-choice performance measures.
Achieve cost reductions through optimal sourcing channels.
Work with Engineering to qualify new components and ensure price and quality requirements are met.
Work with New Product Development programs to source and procure new products and optimize lead times against target schedules.
Build strong cross-functional relationships and ensure business needs are understood and supported.
Assure the supply of goods and services and identify risks and mitigation strategies.
Build and maintain multi-year supply roadmaps for key suppliers based on business pipeline and growth strategy.
Establish operational objectives and work plans supporting Strategic Sourcing organization goals.
Develop and maintain the supplier portfolio supporting manufacturing operations.
Perform cost and scenario analysis and benchmarking.
Lead negotiations of master purchase agreements with suppliers and customers, coordinating internally to protect business interests and minimize liabilities; conduct periodic business partner reviews.
Support responsible sourcing initiatives related to small and diverse supplier development, risk management, and sustainability, and ensure suppliers meet applicable compliance standards.
Define and report metrics measuring supply, logistics, and cost-savings effectiveness.
Ensure products are transported effectively to customers and critical materials are received at production facilities.
Perform additional tasks and projects as assigned by the Director of Operations.

Benefits

Medical insurance, including member reward points.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Basic life insurance.
Benefit Bucks.
Flexible work arrangements.
Paid family leaves.
Well-being programs.
12 holidays per year.
15 days of paid time off per year.
Base salary and short-term incentives.
Company share ownership.
401(k) with company match.
Performance discussions, global opportunities, the Schneider Career Hub, and learning platforms such as Coursera.
Volunteer leave and programs with the Schneider Electric Foundation.
Youth education initiatives and military leave benefits.