Lead Sourcing Consultant

Lead Sourcing Consultant

We're looking for a Lead Sourcing Consultant who brings strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a drive to deliver meaningful business outcomes. You'll partner closely with business leaders and internal stakeholders to shape sourcing strategies, lead complex initiatives, and identify opportunities to drive efficiency, innovation, and value.

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives aligned to business priorities, partnering with stakeholders to define and deliver results.

Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support enterprise goals, balancing cost, risk, and value.

Manage relationships with key business partners, serving as a trusted advisor and primary liaison to sourcing.

Apply strong sourcing fundamentals by leveraging market insights, supplier strategies, and best practices.

Drive measurable outcomes, including cost savings, process improvements, and supplier performance.

Leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and optimize sourcing processes.

Lead and support RFPs, supplier selection, and contract negotiations for complex engagements.

Partner with suppliers and stakeholders to define performance expectations, including KPIs and SLAs.

Influence and guide stakeholders through competing priorities and complex decisions.

Identify opportunities to elevate team capabilities, including training, process improvements, and adoption of new tools or practices.

Mentor team members and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, or procurement.

Strong sourcing fundamentals with the ability to apply best practices across multiple areas.

Demonstrated ability to think strategically and connect sourcing activities to business outcomes.

Proven success delivering results through complex negotiations and cross-functional collaboration.

High level of comfort with technology and AI tools, with a mindset toward improving efficiency and processes.

Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate trade-offs and build compelling business cases.

Skilled at influencing stakeholders and navigating competing priorities.

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization.

Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and make data-driven decisions.

A builder mindset; you're energized by improving processes and strengthening team capabilities.

Curiosity and adaptability to support a variety of sourcing needs.

Passion for using data, insights, and emerging tools, including AI, to drive better outcomes.

A collaborative approach; you bring others along, challenge thinking, and elevate the work.

At Principal, you'll be part of a sourcing organization that is evolving, embracing innovation, strengthening capabilities, and delivering real impact across the enterprise. This is an opportunity to shape how we work while growing your own skills and influence.

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly) $127,000 - $160,000 / year.

Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness. Employees don't accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.

Pension Eligible Yes.

Location This role will be located in our Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC offices and will benefit from a hybrid work arrangement, blending at least three office days in a typical workweek.

Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.