Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Senior Sourcing Manager to lead strategic sourcing initiatives for a growing food distribution organization. This leadership role is responsible for managing a team of two Sourcing Managers while driving category strategy, supplier partnerships, spend governance, vendor performance, and procurement excellence across assigned portfolios. The Senior Sourcing Manager serves as the primary relationship owner for key suppliers and is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that enhance revenue growth, profitability, assortment effectiveness, supply continuity, and overall business performance. This role collaborates closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Purchasing, Operations, and Executive Leadership to ensure sourcing decisions support organizational goals and customer needs.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies that support business growth, margin improvement, and long-term supply chain stability.
- Manage assigned product portfolios, including oversight and strategic direction of the company's Top 5 Exclusive Brands.
- Identify sourcing opportunities that optimize cost, quality, service levels, and supplier diversification.
- Evaluate market trends, commodity impacts, supplier capabilities, and competitive dynamics to inform sourcing decisions.
- Drive assortment productivity initiatives and recommend category enhancements based on customer demand and business objectives.
Supplier Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic supplier partners.
- Lead contract negotiations involving pricing, rebates, promotional funding, payment terms, product innovation, and service-level expectations.
- Establish and maintain executive-level supplier relationships to strengthen strategic partnerships.
- Conduct structured business reviews with key suppliers and develop corrective action plans when performance expectations are not met.
- Ensure suppliers align with company standards regarding quality, food safety, service, and compliance.
Financial & Spend Management
- Own spend governance and sourcing performance across assigned categories.
- Drive cost savings, margin improvement, and supplier investment opportunities.
- Monitor supplier agreements, pricing structures, rebates, and incentives to maximize value creation.
- Partner with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, and sourcing performance reporting.
- Analyze spend data and market intelligence to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of two Sourcing Managers.
- Establish clear performance expectations, goals, and professional development plans.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and strategic thinking.
- Support succession planning and talent development initiatives within the sourcing function.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Procurement, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
- 7+ years of progressive sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain experience.
- 2+ years of leadership experience managing sourcing, procurement, or category management teams.
- Experience negotiating complex supplier agreements and managing strategic vendor relationships.
- Strong financial acumen with experience analyzing margins, pricing, rebates, and spend performance.
- Advanced analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment.
- Proficiency with ERP systems, procurement platforms, and Microsoft Excel.
Preferred
- Food distribution, food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), grocery, or retail procurement experience.
- Experience managing private label or exclusive brand portfolios.
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CPM, or APICS credentials.
- Experience leading strategic sourcing transformations and supplier optimization initiatives.