Strategic Sourcing Manager - Procurement

ZS • Chicago, IL

3h • Hybrid

About The Position

ZS is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager, Indirect Procurement to execute strategic sourcing projects and category strategies across indirect spend categories including HR, IT, Marketing, Legal, and Professional Services. The role optimizes total value across cost, quality, service, risk, innovation, sustainability, and savings while partnering with business stakeholders across ZS regions and functions. As a member of the Procurement team, the role helps build and shape the future of the indirect procurement function by driving best practices, influencing strategy, and supporting the team's continued growth and evolution.

This position partners with corporate functions, budget owners, senior stakeholders, and cross-functional teams throughout ZS to shape sourcing pipelines and buying decisions. It leads sourcing events and negotiations, develops category strategies, incorporates value and risk analysis, advances responsible sourcing, and reports performance to business leadership.

The role follows a hybrid working model, combining work from home with on-site presence at client and ZS offices for most of the week. Travel is required for client-facing ZSers as dictated by project and client needs. The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring current or future employer sponsorship. Applicants must submit an online application and a full set of official or unofficial transcripts.

Requirements

• S. / B.A. degree in Business or a related field.
• At least 8 years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience across indirect categories such as HR, IT, Marketing, Legal, and Professional Services.
• Demonstrated success delivering quantifiable value beyond price, including savings, cost avoidance, service improvements, quality gains, risk reduction, and innovation.
• In-depth knowledge of strategic sourcing processes and technology, including Source-to-Pay and contract lifecycle management tools.
• Experience with RFx management, supplier negotiations, MSA/SOW contract writing, category strategy development, value strategy formulation, total cost/total value modeling, supplier management, and contract management.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive outcomes in a global, decentralized, matrixed organization with limited supervision.
• Project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex sourcing initiatives.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional environment and build trusted relationships across business functions.
• Proven ability to influence decisions and drive measurable outcomes across a matrix organization.
• Fluency in English.
• Client-first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.
• Candidates must have United States work authorization that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.
• A full set of official or unofficial transcripts must be included with the online application.

Nice To Haves

• CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent certification.
• Experience in a professional services or life sciences environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain category profiles, sourcing pipelines, and category strategies for assigned indirect categories, including HR, IT, Marketing, Legal, and Professional Services.
• Execute sourcing events end to end, including defining requirements, managing RFI/RFP/RFQ processes, identifying suppliers, analyzing bids, evaluating suppliers, and developing recommendations.
• Lead negotiations, MSA/SOW development, and renewals to secure commercial terms, service levels, and risk protections that maximize total value.
• Use total cost and total value modeling, TCO and spend analysis, market intelligence, rate analysis, and benchmarks in sourcing events and supplier decisions.
• Embed responsible sourcing and sustainability criteria into category strategies, sourcing events, and supplier relationship management.
• Define and report total value delivered, including hard savings, cost avoidance, service and quality improvements, risk reduction, and innovation.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing project teams across ZS regions and business units.
• Partner with ZS corporate functions and build relationships with budget owners and senior stakeholders.
• Facilitate discussions about business requirements, supplier strategy, and category implications; work with internal customer groups to define value levers, specifications, service levels, and scopes of work.
• Translate function and practice plans into an indirect sourcing pipeline and influence large and strategic buying decisions based on total value, balancing cost with quality, speed, and risk.
• Drive change management with colleagues and key contacts, promote sourcing best practices and policy compliance, and report category value performance to business leadership.

Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package supporting health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development.
• Skills-building programs and custom learning pathways.
• Multiple career progression paths and internal mobility opportunities.
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities.
• Collaborative culture and opportunities to expand capabilities and do meaningful work.

What This Job Offers

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