Strategic Sourcing Manager (Direct Materials)

A World of Opportunities

Committed to an industry that combines innovation and responsibility, we embody our slogan on a daily basis: "A World of Opportunities". Trust, Reputation, Integrity and Rise are strong values that make up Clayens' DNA!

About the Role

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading and managing the strategic sourcing activities for direct spend categories. This role involves identifying and implementing cost-effective procurement strategies, optimizing supplier relationships, and ensuring that non-product-related expenditures are aligned with business goals and objectives. The position requires a strong understanding of direct materials, experience supporting manufacturing, analytical skills, market knowledge, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Location: Remote

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, specifically for direct materials.
• Strong experience in managing resin materials supporting injection molding manufacturing processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or an MBA.
• Certification in Supply Chain Management (e.g., CPSM, CSCP) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management:
  • Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for various direct raw material categories (e.g., resin, packaging, components, etc.).
  • Lead supplier selection and negotiation processes, ensuring optimal pricing, quality, and service levels.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring continuous improvement and value generation.
• Cost Optimization & Savings Initiatives:
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities through process improvements, supplier consolidation, and strategic negotiation.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive cost reduction initiatives and achieve savings targets.
  • Monitor and track savings performance against established goals.
• Market Intelligence & Trend Analysis:
  • Continuously monitor market conditions, industry trends, and supplier capabilities to inform sourcing strategies.
  • Conduct market research to assess potential suppliers and opportunities for innovation and efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Partner with internal business units (e.g., finance, legal, operations) to understand their needs and ensure sourcing strategies align with business goals.
  • Provide advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on sourcing best practices and supplier performance.
• Contract Management:
  • Oversee the negotiation and execution of contracts with suppliers, ensuring that terms and conditions protect the organization's interests.
  • Ensure compliance with corporate policies and legal requirements.
• Risk Management:
  • Assess and mitigate risks related to supply chain disruptions, supplier performance, and contract compliance.
  • Develop contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply for critical materials.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
  • Track and report on the performance of suppliers and sourcing initiatives, providing regular updates to leadership.
  • Use data-driven insights to evaluate supplier performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Process Improvement & Best Practices:
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives in sourcing processes, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance.
  • Stay updated on best practices in sourcing, procurement technology, and trends to enhance overall sourcing effectiveness.

Skills

• Hard-skills:
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
  • Experience: At least 10 years' experience in a strategic sourcing role managing raw materials.
  • Strong experience in managing resin materials supporting injection molding manufacturing process.
  • This position will require travel ~25%.
  • Strong knowledge of procurement processes, supply chain management, and strategy development process.
  • Expertise in supplier negotiation, contract management, and cost optimization.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization
  • Mastery of IT and office automation tools.
  • Fluent English and an additional language could be a plus (Spanish, French)
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Soft-skills:
  • Clear and concise communication
  • Conflict Resolution: Handle conflicts constructively and diplomatically, ensuring that issues are resolved in a way that maintains a positive working environment
  • Ability to evaluate situations, data, and processes to assess problems and develop strategies to improve quality outcomes
  • Decision Making: Making informed and timely decisions, especially in situations where there is uncertainty or ambiguity.
  • Managing Change: Ability to adapt to changes in industry standards, technology, or organizational priorities. This includes leading teams through change smoothly.