Sourcing Manager, Indirect Services & Materials

Northern Tool + Equipment is seeking a talented Sourcing Manager to develop, implement and oversee strategies for various Indirect Materials & Services. Responsible to reduce annual expenditures in I/T, Marketing, Legal Services, Retail Store Construction & Fixtures and other categories determined by company management. 

Key Responsibilities:

1.     Leads indirect strategic sourcing and implementation of assigned categories in close partnership with functional stakeholder groups. Develops strategies for assigned indirect service categories including new I/T, new store construction. marketing, professional services and other categories. 

2.     Completes an in-depth spend analysis and spend category segmentation to identify opportunities across all assigned indirect categories. Tracks performance for each spend category and drives progress to meet annual operating plan goals. Establishes historical spend baseline by working collaboratively with other departments like Finance, to extract data from various sources to create a master data set. 

3.     Maintains and disseminates knowledge and awareness of industry issues, trends, and developments for assigned commodity area. Determines market conditions, initiative objectives, and gather requirements. 

4.     Strategizes optimal sourcing processes based on savings levers and required timeline. Identifies and qualifies suppliers capable of providing materials and services to meet Company requirements, ensuring productivity, continuous improvement, and negotiated lowest total overall cost. 

5.     Screens, identifies, and selects qualified potential suppliers based on capability, quality control, and cost competitiveness. Ensures competitive pricing on all sourced components through extensive market analysis and benchmarking. 

6.     Conducts and manages the entire bid process for complex projects. Leads negotiation strategy development and execution for all indirect categories to achieve year-over-year improvement in the overall cost of operations and services. 

7.     Negotiates pricing and other commercial terms with qualified suppliers. Manages supplier relationships including negotiating contracts and prices, monitoring supplier performance, selecting/analyzing the supply base, and developing and executing the site supplier strategies and commodity plans. 

8.     Assesses, manages, and mitigates any corporate risk associated with complex sourcing initiatives. Makes business case recommendations for decision(s) based on quantitative and qualitative evaluation factors. 

9.     Creates, negotiates, implements, and manages long-term complex purchase agreements with critical suppliers covering all applicable areas. Develops and implements industry best practice sourcing and contract negotiations, including the identification of new sources and programs for indirect materials and services. 

10. Implements sourcing solutions, performs contract management and supplier reviews, and updates appropriate stakeholders as needed. 

11. Build’s effective partnership and collaboration relationships with appropriate business teams & stakeholders to ensure project success.  

What you will bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in sourcing, merchandising or related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing of indirect materials and services
• Excellent understanding of indirect procurement process in a corporate, retail or manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of indirect material categories including but not limited to sales & marketing, new store construction, outsourced I/T and legal services, corporate travel, company insurance programs, and utilities cost management
• Thorough knowledge of other departments and functions as they relate to Merchandising
• Strong organizational and communication skills required.
• Strong negotiation skills including experience with large contract negotiations.
• Ability to influence without direct authority, at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to identify and pursue multiple initiatives simultaneously and deliver strong results.
• Ability to keep multiple projects on schedule simultaneously.
• Ability to work accurately with numbers and details.
• Computer knowledge and skills required, including Microsoft Office Products.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all levels of NTE management and vendor personnel.
• Demonstrates Northern Tool + Equipment’s 12 Core Competencies.

About Us

At Northern Tool + Equipment we’ve created a problem-solver’s paradise. A place where both pros who need the perfect tool to expertly finish the job, and do-it-yourselfers, who are looking for the right tool along with a bit of guidance, feel right at home. Our blueprint for success is Made for This. We’re poised to create a world-class customer experience while we strive to enter new markets and drive growth through exceptional customer insight. The plan is well on its way to resounding success, with over 140 retail stores across 24 states, plus a selection of products from the top national brands, and the addition of global manufacturing operations designed to create our own specialized tools and equipment. We’ve always had a way of either seeing what’s next, or defining it, but we need great people to grow along with us. We're looking for people who have the mindset of putting the customer first; team members who are ready to equip every problem solver who walks through our doors with the right tools and advice to tackle the tough jobs well; and individuals who are ready to help us boldly build what’s next.