Head of Indirect Procurement

Job Description

Job Description

This role is full-time, in-office at our Long Beach, CA headquarters. We're not able to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, so please only apply if you're able to work onsite full-time.

What We Do

CarParts.com is the go-to eCommerce platform for auto care and maintenance. We provide drivers with quality parts at competitive prices and enable them to schedule appointments with trusted mechanics directly through our website. Using world-class design principles and the latest technologies, we deliver a fast, intuitive digital experience backed by our company-owned national distribution network.  

With over 1,000 employees worldwide, we are scaling rapidly, fueled by our most recent strategic partnership and $35 million investment. This positions us for the next phase of growth as we continue to empower drivers along their journey.

Our Culture

At CarParts.com, our culture goes beyond our core values of Safety First, Customer Focused, and Commitment to Excellence. We are a performance-driven, data-focused, and fast-paced team where results matter and winning is expected.  

- Hungry & Hardworking: We set ambitious goals, measure progress with clear metrics, and hold ourselves accountable to deliver results.  
- Promote from Within: We reward top performers with opportunities for growth and advancement.  
- Collaborative & In-Person: We believe the best ideas and fastest execution happen face-to-face.  
- High Standards: We move quickly, pay attention to details, and dig deep - whether it’s analyzing contracts, aggregating complex scenarios, or building clear, data-driven presentations.  
- No Passengers: We value grit, ownership, and the relentless pursuit of results

Summary of Role/Position

The Head of Indirect Procurement is responsible for developing and deploying a sourcing strategy for Indirect Procurement within the organization. Through cross-functional collaboration and technical knowledge, the Head of Indirect Procurement builds and executes a sourcing roadmap to support various internal stakeholders and to optimize cost and terms for the company. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential: this role requires close, ongoing partnership with Warehouse Operations, Technology, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Compliance, HR, and other key departments across the business. This is a high-impact, hands-on role overseeing more than $15M in annual spend across capital expenditures, corporate and warehouse contracts, and third-party contractors domestically and globally. The ideal candidate must have demonstrated experience in strategic sourcing for key spend categories, overall contracts management, metrics reporting and large-dollar negotiations.

You Will:

• Operational Performance: Operate as the single point leader accountable for the Indirect category, partnering with key functional leaders and stakeholders to deliver best-in-class service, quality, cost, and performance. Conduct business reviews with key internal stakeholders and suppliers to monitor progress against key goals/priorities, identify issues and opportunities, understand category trends, etc.
• Contracts Management: Own and maintain a comprehensive contract database covering all active agreements, with key data points (renewal dates, payment terms, contacts, internal business owner, etc.). Lead detailed negotiation of pricing, payment terms, and terms and conditions on each contract: this role goes well beyond price, requiring close scrutiny of the fine print (liability, indemnification, termination, SLAs, auto-renewal clauses) across a high volume of corporate, warehouse, capital expenditure, and third-party contractor agreements in the US and globally.
• Strategic Sourcing: Implement category and sourcing strategies that deliver against our overall requirements at best value pricing. Partner with internal business owners to expand our supplier network (identify potential partners, assess capability, develop supply chain model, negotiate pricing and supply agreements)
• Cost Savings: Proactively partner internally, with suppliers, and with external category expert partners to identify, assess, develop business cases, prioritize, and execute cost savings initiatives that leverage product optimization, service/quality optimization, supplier optimization, process improvement, competitive bidding, "should cost" modeling, joint continuous improvement, supplier negotiations, etc.
• Partnerships: Develop highly engaged supplier partners and category expert partners that provide a competitive advantage.
• Performance Reporting: Generate performance reports that track and analyze key performance metrics on a monthly and/or quarterly basis. Identify and align with internal key stakeholders on the root cause issues, solutions, and improvement opportunities. Provide insights to identify root cause and improvement opportunities.
• Best Practices: Benchmark Sourcing best practices processes and tools. Partner with functional leaders and stakeholders and suppliers to adapt, embrace, and incorporate those best practices as standard work. 
• Collaboration: Work cross functionally, including close partnership with Warehouse Operations, Technology, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Compliance, and HR, to manage complex strategic sourcing projects which include, but not limited to, gathering sourcing requirements, vendor screening, preparing and conducting complex Requests For Proposals (RFP/RFI) and following negotiations, managing supplier relationships, and contract development / execution.

You Must Have:

Knowledge & Skills

• Skilled in negotiation techniques and have demonstrated knowledge of applicable purchasing laws, regulations and ethical issues.
• Adept at balancing the dichotomy between supporting and partnering with internal stakeholders while also maintaining financial discipline.
• Experience in category management, supplier segmentation, contract negotiation, commercial agreements, supplier relationship management, and supplier scorecard management.
• Experience in a supply chain or technology environment highly desirable.
• Excellent end-to-end project management skills while effectively navigating competing priorities and ambiguity.
• Competencies and knowledge in contract development (especially IT contracts), including key contracting principles, standard terms etc.
• Effective business communication, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of the workforce, including senior leadership and executive management.
• Exceptional problem solving, strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, ability to deal with ambiguity, and risk management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with positive, customer-focus approach in combination with the ability to work effectively in a team environment, fast-paced, and rapidly changing environment.
• Must have exceptional attention to detail and comfort operating in a fast-paced environment: this role requires close review of contract fine print under tight timelines, not just high-level oversight.

Education and Experience

• 10+ years Procurement and/or Supply Chain experience required.
• 5+ years of indirect procurement experience required.
• Proven track record negotiating a high volume of complex contracts (pricing, payment terms, and terms and conditions) simultaneously, not occasional large deals: this role requires a detail-oriented, roll-up-your-sleeves operator comfortable in the fine print.
• Prior direct people leadership experience a plus.
• Lean/sigma training and experience highly desirable. 
• Proficient with analytical and presentation software including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.

A reasonable salary estimate for this role based on experience, education, and location is: $150,000-$175,000

At CarParts.com we understand and value diversity in our employees and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire the best talent regardless of sex, national origin, disability, or race.

 

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the incumbent a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.