Sr. Sourcing Specialist

About the Role Working without appreciable direction, supports the Purchasing Division as a procurement expert in packaging components. Identifies cost savings opportunities within assigned categories. May provide expertise to lower level staff. Responsibilities Plans, researches, and purchases $15-30 million in inventory in the most cost-effective manner while maintaining quality and supply flexibility. Effectively negotiates and/or implements initiatives that reduce Company costs and/or prevent annual cost increases by $250,000 to $500,000. Independently capable of highly complex negotiations including multi-year supply agreements, high dollar quality disputes, and legal disputes and partners with Legal on complex agreements and contracts. Acts independently and makes decisions consistent with the overall policies and objectives of the Manufacturing Group and the Purchasing Division. Updates management on an exception only basis and refers to management only on matters that involve a large amount of money or special circumstances. Occasionally challenges higher levels without hesitation and regularly contacts them to gain support and cooperation. Utilizing an advanced knowledge of the processes, cost pressure points, and supply, evaluates supplier competence relative to others in the industry. Accountable for selecting suppliers who meet the cost, quality, and production requirements of Mary Kay Inc. Researches and selects reliable first, second, and third source suppliers to increase capacity, achieve a competitive pricing situation, and ensure supply of quality components, ingredients, jewelry, recognition items, contract formulas, contract packaging or turnkey contract manufacturing and distribution. Responsible for identifying and establishing full-service contract manufacturers in other countries to sustain core supply‑chain service to major international markets or those targeted for future growth. Responsible for interaction and problem resolution with suppliers such as resolving invoicing discrepancies, negotiating price, quality, and delivery, obtaining quotes, and expediting delayed shipments. Responsible for supplier correspondence, purchase orders, change orders, and scheduling supplier evaluation trips. May engage supplier executives and leads suppliers to apply new technology for improvements. Monitors and reacts to global supply and pricing trends. Pursues and investigates new project innovation and regularly executes projects alone. Leads a project involving other functions to completion and exercises considerable latitude in determining objectives and approaches to a project. Works vertically and horizontally across the organization to strengthen peer and management relationships, works toward long‑range goals, regularly challenges status‑quo procedures, processes, and technology looking for opportunities to improve. Sees the bigger picture as it impacts the business and develops solutions that require ingenuity and ensure consistency with organizational objectives. Projects purchasing costs based on marketing and price trends so that the cost of materials can be budgeted for the next year. Prepares the component, ingredient, or finished‑good standard‑cost budget. This impacts standard cost, cost of goods, planned corporate cash flow, and company profit margins. Includes specific cost‑reduction plans to ensure the appropriate cost of goods is maintained or reduced. Responds to purchasing requirements listed in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) report. Interfaces with Brand Marketing or Sales Force Recognition, Global Inventory Control, Supply Scheduling, Finance, Transportation and Compliance, Quality, and, depending on the project, Package Development, Engineering, Contract Manufacturing, and R&D to address purchasing requests, inquiries, problems, and status updates. Collaborates with Mary Kay China counterparts as needed to support their market needs. Intercedes on behalf of Supply Scheduling to troubleshoot finished goods, component, or ingredient supplier service issues regarding replenishment procurement. Buyer is assigned as the Purchasing owner for new product development initiatives. Interfaces with all departments involved in new product development from the initial idea phase to final approval. Provides expertise in the development of custom, modified, stock packaging, or finished goods (i.e., compacts) that must be functional, meet quality and cost standards, have adequate shelf life, good appearance, and meet production and distribution requirements. Responds to frequent changes and opportunities due to new products, materials, and processes and must complete projects on schedule. Interfaces with management to resolve problems and review progress on projects when necessary. Problems may include costs exceeding estimates and factors that could delay the introduction of a new product. Remains abreast of current technology in packaging and packaging processes so that Mary Kay Inc. remains competitive in the marketplace. Leverages sourcing and overall commodity strategies for international markets. Acts as a liaison in some instances. Identifies tooling requirements for the annual budget process. Allocates tooling dollars as needed to execute both new‑product/package projects and upgrades to current packaging or increased capacity requirements. Submits Capital Expenditure Authorization requests with cost justifications calculated to cover tooling purchase orders required to buy all tooling. Responsible for issuing non‑inventory purchase orders to cover all prep charges, artwork dies, etc. involved in producing components for Mary Kay Inc. Skills & Experience Experience: 5+ years Education: Bachelor/University Degree Education Focus: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business or related discipline. Additional Skills & Abilities Must have effective negotiation skills in order to influence decisions that impact the company bottom line. Must possess the ability to perform capacity‑analysis studies to support new product introductions at both component and finished‑goods levels. Must understand basic financial concepts and applications (e.g., NPV, ROI, financial statements) for evaluating supplier financial stability and for submitting business proposals on new projects, ideas, concepts, and for obtaining approval from upper management. Must have effective decision‑making skills since decisions impact the financial, employee, or public‑relations posture of the organization. Erroneous decisions or failures to achieve objectives would normally have a serious impact on the organization’s administration. Must have effective organizational, project‑management, and time‑management skills to work effectively with internal and external contacts. Must have advanced knowledge of and experience in materials, manufacturing, printing, and decorating processes to meet company production and cost objectives while maintaining quality and supply flexibility. Must have effective oral and written communication skills to address purchasing requests, inquiries, and problems, interface effectively with suppliers, and act as a liaison between various internal organizations. Must be knowledgeable about the laws and regulations associated with each region and aware of the cultural differences between the US and the region. Must be able to work with multiple cultures, enabling effective interfacing with subsidiaries. Ability to effectively author and analyze supplier contracts. Must work closely with Legal to craft contracts that accurately document the agreed‑upon deal and protect the company’s risk. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mary Kay Inc.