Strategic Sourcing Manager

Strategic Sourcing Manager Procurement

Location: Houston, Texas- hybrid (Onsite M-Th, F remote)

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing Manager (Contract)

Our client is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the strategic sourcing process for assigned enterprise categories, including but not limited to chemicals, rental equipment, and small parcels. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and leading RFx events on behalf of the enterprise. The Strategic Sourcing Manager does not directly purchase goods or services, but serves as the primary owner of the sourcing lifecycle and supplier management for their assigned categories. Key performance measures for this role include quality, delivery, and price. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and a results-driven mindset. Success in this position also requires excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively with functional owners and business stakeholders. The Strategic Sourcing Manager is expected to act as a steward of the supply chain, proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, and enhance operational effectiveness while ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements category strategies aligned with enterprise objectives, in close collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Leads RFx events (RFI, RFP, RFQ) for assigned categories, including bid preparation, evaluation, and supplier selection.
• Manages supplier relationships, including performance reviews, issue resolution, and ongoing communications, while building strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyzes data and market trends—including commodities indices—to inform sourcing decisions, price negotiations, and strategy development, with a focus on quality, delivery, and price.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and ensure alignment of sourcing strategies.
• Partners with business units and functional owners to identify and drive opportunities for process, cost, or operational improvements, leveraging category expertise and a collaborative approach.
• Negotiates major contracts and agreements, ensuring value, quality, delivery, and price compliance.
• Researches and develops a pipeline of qualified suppliers for assigned categories.
• Designs and applies supplier evaluation techniques to assess quality, reliability, and performance.
• Tracks and reports on category performance, supplier effectiveness, and cost savings.
• Maintains currency with respect to technical, analytical, and industry skills by attending training, seminars, and industry events as needed.

Required:

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and drive to deliver results.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build relationships and collaborate across teams and functions.
• Familiarity with commodities indices and their impact on sourcing and price negotiations.
• Experience in chemicals, rental equipment, small parcels, or similar categories preferred.
• Six Sigma Training (nice to have).
• Ability to travel 5-10% of year.

Education: Bachelor's Degree (accredited), or in lieu of degree, High School Diploma or GED (accredited) and 4 years of relevant work experience.

Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience (in addition to education requirement), preferably in strategic sourcing or category management for enterprise categories.

About Delphi-US Delphi-US is a national recruiting firm based in Newport, Rhode Island. We specialize in IT, Engineering and Professional Staffing services for organizations across the United States of America. Our mission is simple: We are Peacemakers in the Talent War. Delphi attracts our nation's best and brightest Technical & Professional Talent and position our nation's finest employers to further their competitive advantages. We accomplish this with a proprietary skill-based and cultural matching process that results in higher qualified submissions, hiring with purpose, and employer/employee mutual success. You'll find our team is supremely experienced, friendly, professional and ready to advocate on your behalf. Armed with best in class talent, Delphi has an indelible understanding of employer expectations and we deliver lasting results.