Strategic Sourcing Manager

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives across key operational spend categories, with a primary focus on supplier strategy, contract management, and cost optimization. This role will establish national and regional supplier partnerships that drive cost efficiency, quality, and operational consistency across the organization.

This is a cross-functional role requiring strong capabilities in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract management, spend analytics, and stakeholder collaboration across operations, maintenance, and finance teams.

Why This Role Matters

This role sits at the center of how we control costs, ensure reliability, and keep our fleet running. The decisions you make about suppliers, contracts, and equipment directly impact operational uptime, safety, and millions in spend. In your first few months, your work will shape how efficiently our teams operate across the country.

What You’ll Own

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Lead sourcing strategies across key spend categories including tires, fuel, parts, fittings, filters, lubricants, and MRO supplies
• Run structured RFP processes end-to-end—scoping requirements, evaluating bids, and selecting suppliers based on cost, service levels, and continuity of supply
• Negotiate contracts with clear targets (e.g., cost reduction, service SLAs, and delivery performance) and track results against those commitments
• Identify consolidation opportunities by analyzing spend data and reducing supplier fragmentation
• Build and maintain supplier scorecards; address underperformance with clear improvement plans

Fleet Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage sourcing for vehicle acquisitions, working directly with OEMs, dealers, and upfitters
• Partner with operations, safety, and maintenance teams to define clear, repeatable vehicle and equipment specifications
• Evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) to inform purchasing and replacement timing decisions
• Use repair and maintenance data to identify reliability issues and influence future sourcing decisions

Analytics, Planning & Reporting

• Analyze purchasing and operational data to identify cost drivers and savings opportunities
• Build simple, actionable reporting (dashboards, scorecards) to track supplier performance and sourcing impact
• Support capital planning by forecasting fleet and equipment investment needs

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work closely with operations, maintenance, and finance to ensure sourcing decisions align with operational realities
• Present sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and savings outcomes to leadership in a clear and data-backed way

What Success Looks Like by 90 Days

• You’ve taken ownership of at least 1–2 major sourcing categories and launched or completed a sourcing initiative
• You’ve built visibility into current spend and supplier performance through basic reporting or dashboards
• You’ve established working relationships with key internal partners (operations, maintenance, finance) and top suppliers
• You’ve identified and begun executing on at least one measurable cost-saving or supplier consolidation opportunity

What You’ll Actually Do in Your First 30 Days

• Review current supplier contracts, spend data, and ongoing sourcing initiatives to understand where money is going today
• Meet with operations, maintenance, and finance leaders to learn how sourcing decisions impact day-to-day performance
• Shadow or participate in an active supplier negotiation or RFP process
• Build an initial view of top spend categories and identify 1–2 immediate opportunities (cost, consolidation, or process improvement)

Requirements

Must Have

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain
• Hands-on experience running RFPs and negotiating supplier contracts
• Ability to analyze spend data and make decisions based on cost and performance insights
• Experience working cross-functionally with operations or technical stakeholders
• Willingness to travel (~25%) and work onsite in Chicago

Nice to Have

• Experience sourcing fleet-related categories (vehicles, parts, fuel, MRO, etc.)
• Familiarity with total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis
• Experience with procurement or fleet management systems
• Background in logistics, engineering, or maintenance-heavy environments
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Role Details

• Location: Chicago (onsite)
• Travel: ~25% to supplier and operating locations
• Compensation: Starting at $105,000 (based on experience)
• Direct Reports: None

Benefits

We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and company-paid life and disability insurance.

How We Work

We’re a practical, hands-on team that values clarity and follow-through, you’ll get space to own your work, but we expect you to close loops and drive outcomes. People here are straightforward, supportive, and always open to a better way of doing things.