The Sourcing Category, Manager advocates for and influences business unit and function area leaders on the adoption of the strategic sourcing process. Is a subject matter expert in the assigned commodity area. Works with internal clients to scope business and supply chain requirements, establish strategic sourcing strategy & develops detailed project plans to implement sourced programs. Builds and maintains an effective network of suppliers and external subject matter experts in order to deliver continuous improvement to the organization. Acts as liaison between business unit sales, operations, and finance leaders to establish project scope and obtain acceptance on contribution measurement methodology. Responsible for sourcing event conceptual development, planning, and coordination of supplier communication. Recommends & champion's effort on improvements to demand strategies & supply chain control methods. Coordinates the appropriate project team & manages sourcing project through completion to ensure all goals & deliverables are met. Participates in internal client and supplier training & creation of communication plans for process rollouts.

• Research, execute and implement effective strategic sourcing/procurement strategies to meet both short term and longer term business objectives.

• Use current category spend information/data and business knowledge to identify sourcing projects and develop and execute an overall cost reduction/value improvement plan.

• Engages and achieves acceptance from internal clients on business and supply chain requirements, strategic sourcing strategies including detailed project plans to implement sourced programs.

• Acts as liaison between business unit sales, operations, and finance leaders to establish and obtain acceptance on contribution measurement methodology.

• Responsible for sourcing event conceptual development, planning, and coordination the negotiation or tendering process, and oversight of the supplier communication.

• Champion's effort on improvements to demand strategies, supply chain control methods and product innovation.

• Coordinates the appropriate project team & manages sourcing project through completion to ensure all goals & deliverables are met.

• Participates in internal client and supplier training & creation of communication plans for process rollouts.

• Identify, develop & enhance internal client relationships to continually identify risk mitigation, supply chain &/or workflow opportunities.

• Develops supplier and marketplace relationships to continually identify product and service innovation, and category marketplace trends.

• Establishes program compliance metrics to ensure goals & deliverables are met.

• Provides project updates to stakeholders up to and including Executive Management.

• Negotiates contracts with suppliers in partnership with or on behalf for internal clients.

• Assists internal clients through the ROI/justification process.

• Participates in annual budgeting & strategic planning process as requested by internal clients.

• Advocates for and influences business unit and function area leaders on the adoption of the strategic sourcing process.

• Assists with establishing pricing and marketplace strategies, distribution/channel resolution, and introduction and communication with Sales as needed.

• Participates as a contributor to an interdisciplinary team that includes business strategists, project management, product marketing & IT.

• Become a key communicator between functional groups and business units.