Director of Procurement

Director of Procurement

Lantern is the specialty care platform connecting people with the best care when they need it most. By curating a Network of Excellence comprised of the nation's top specialists for surgery, cancer care, infusions and more, Lantern delivers excellent care with significant cost savings to employers and their workforces. Lantern also pairs members with a dedicated care team, including Care Advocates and nurses, for the entirety of their care journey, helping them get back to good health, back to their families and back to work. With convenient access to specialists nationwide, Lantern means quality care is within driving distance for most. Lantern is trusted by the nation's largest employers to deliver care to more than 6 million members across the country. Learn more about us at lanterncare.com.

Lantern is looking for a Director of Procurement to join our fast-growing team. This is a first-of-its-kind role at Lantern — the company's first dedicated procurement hire — and an opportunity to build a procurement function from the ground up. This role is responsible for managing vendor relationships, sourcing goods and services, negotiating contracts, and ensuring cost-effective purchasing strategies that support business operations. This role will leverage modern AI tools (e.g., Claude) to enhance procurement efficiency, decision-making, and vendor management.

Location : Full-time Onsite | Dallas, TX | Open to Hybrid in Chicago, IL, New York, NY or Vancouver, BC with Travel to Dallas

Responsibilities :

• Proven ability to build procurement processes from scratch (vendor panels, contract registers, policy frameworks) without pre-existing infrastructure
• Source, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, and reliability
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with vendors to achieve cost savings across 3+ categories: SaaS/technology, marketing/agency, professional services, facilities, or HR/benefits
• Manage purchase orders and ensure timely delivery of goods and services
• Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with internal teams to forecast needs
• Maintain vendor relationships and resolve any supply or performance issues
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and regulatory requirements
• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude) to analyze vendor proposals, summarize contracts, and extract key terms and risks
• Analyze market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities
• Track and report on procurement metrics, including cost savings and supplier performance
• Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, operations, and other stakeholders

Requirements :

• Education
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Work experience
• Advisory or Management Consulting experience
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain roles
• Experience with vendor negotiations and contract management
• Familiarity with procurement software or ERP systems
• Skills
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and relationship management abilities
• High attention to detail and organizational skills
• Experience using AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, or similar) in a professional setting preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and procurement tools

Strong Candidates will :

• Act with urgency and ownership in managing procurement processes
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and adaptability
• Build and maintain strong vendor and internal relationships
• Be highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Continuously seek process improvements and cost efficiencies
• Be an early adopter of AI tools and proactively integrate them into daily workflows

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• 401k with company match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave

Lantern does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.