Strategic Sourcing Manager

Seton Hall University, New Jersey•South Orange, NJ

About The Position

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives that drive cost efficiency, enhance supplier relationships, and optimize procurement outcomes at Seton Hall University. Reporting to the Director of Procurement, this role leads competitive bidding efforts, implements category management strategies, and leverages data analytics to strengthen the university’s sourcing activities. This position plays a critical role in refining supplier selection, negotiating favorable contract terms, and implementing procurement best practices to maximize value. By focusing on supplier consolidation, strategic category planning, and process optimization, the Sourcing Manager elevates procurement’s role to a strategic driver of institutional efficiency. Pursuant to building a robust Procurement department at Seton Hall University, the Strategic Sourcing Manager will be required to support the Procurement team by processing requisitions, POs, and performing supplier on-boarding functions. The Strategic Sourcing Manager will work closely with Contracts Management to ensure spend under contract is optimized. Aligned with Seton Hall’s Adapt ‘25 initiative, this role advances cost savings, procurement automation, and strategic supplier engagement, positioning sourcing as a proactive, data-driven function that aligns with institutional priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
5-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or vendor management.
Experience leading RFx processes, competitive bidding, and supplier negotiations.
Proven track record of implementing cost-saving procurement initiatives and category management strategies.
Strong background in data-driven sourcing, spend analytics, and procurement technology integration
Expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, and competitive procurement methodologies.
Strong ability to analyze financial and supplier data, identifying cost reduction opportunities and procurement efficiencies.
Knowledge of contract negotiations, supplier risk assessment, and vendor management best practices.
Proficiency in procurement technology (Unimarket, Banner ERP, e-sourcing platforms).
Ability to build and lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives, fostering collaboration across departments.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing procurement decisions at an institutional level.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA, Supply Chain, or Finance) preferred.
CPSM, CPM, or related procurement certifications.
Experience in higher education, public sector procurement, or large-scale contract management.
Background in supplier performance evaluation, procurement automation, and strategic vendor negotiations.

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management: Develop and execute institution-wide sourcing strategies based on University needs taking a categorical and value-based approach.
Lead competitive bidding initiatives (via RFx processes) on major sourcing initiatives ($ threshold TBD) to establish preferred suppliers – both greenfield and incumbent/renewal contracts.
Support competitive bidding process managed by end users to establish preferred suppliers and renew contracts.
Conduct supplier negotiations and contract structuring.
Track cost avoidance, cost savings and other benefits / service improvements generated
Partner with Procurement and Finance to align sourcing strategies with budget planning and financial oversight objectives.
Apply strategic sourcing best practices to drive competitive, compliant, and value-driven procurement decisions.
Procurement Optimization and Spend Analytics: Leverage data analytics to assess spending patterns, identify cost-saving opportunities, and inform strategic sourcing decisions.
Oversee vendor consolidation efforts to reduce redundancy and enhance pricing leverage.
Leverage procurement technology (Unimarket, Banner ERP, e-sourcing tools) to streamline sourcing and enhance visibility to existing agreements
Establish supplier performance benchmarks, conducting regular business reviews to track service quality, pricing compliance, and risk factors.
Support the integration of new technologies and automation tools to modernize procurement workflows.
Improve contract visibility and compliance, collaborating with Procurement and Legal to enforce procurement policies.
E-Procurement Transactional Requirements: Perform compliance review of requisitions focusing on proper bid usage, supporting documentation, and/or executed contract presence.
Manage vender request intake and support the supplier on-boarding process.
Supporting Procurement team with supplier record management.
Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Development: Collaborate with business owners / end users across campus departments to ascertain needs.
Provide training and guidance to procurement specialists and department stakeholders on competitive sourcing practices and policy adherence.
Develop clear category management playbooks, sourcing guidelines, and procurement governance frameworks.
Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives to align procurement strategy with institutional cost reduction goals.
Strengthen procurement’s role in institutional financial planning, contract execution, and category spend management.