Strategic Sourcing Manager

At a Glance As the Strategic Sourcing Manager you'll manage activities for indirect materials and services across the organization, building value-driven supplier partnerships with a focus on cost optimization, service quality, compliance, risk management, and business continuity. This role supports organizational objectives by developing category strategies, negotiating supplier agreements, improving procurement processes, and partnering cross-functionally with stakeholders to ensure effective sourcing of non-production goods and services. This role is based in West Hartford, CT and is a hybrid position. · Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for assigned indirect categories that align with business needs, supplier market dynamics, risk profiles, and company procurement standards. Categories include but are not limited to MRO, facilities services, office supplies, IT hardware/software, professional services, temporary labor, logistics support services, utilities, packaging support, and other non-production spend categories. · Lead sourcing events, supplier negotiations, RFx processes, and contract discussions to secure favorable commercial terms while balancing cost, quality, service levels, compliance, and stakeholder requirements. · Build, manage, and strengthen supplier relationships; monitor supplier performance through KPIs, scorecards, service-level agreements, regular business reviews, and stakeholder feedback. · Partner with internal business leaders to understand demand, service expectations, budget requirements, and operational priorities for indirect materials and services. · Conduct spend analysis, supplier rationalization, benchmarking, and market intelligence to identify savings opportunities, mitigate inflationary pressures, and improve sourcing outcomes. · Identify and deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and process efficiencies across assigned indirect spend categories. · Evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers in partnership with Legal, Finance, EHS, IT, Operations, Facilities, and other stakeholders as appropriate. · Support contract lifecycle activities, including scope development, commercial review, renewal planning, compliance tracking, and supplier performance management. · Identify and mitigate supplier, service, compliance, cybersecurity, financial, operational, and business continuity risks associated with indirect suppliers. · Ensure sourcing decisions comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, corporate social responsibility expectations, and applicable approval processes. · Serve as point of escalation for supplier service issues, critical shortages of indirect materials, or disruptions impacting business operations. · Maintain accurate sourcing, supplier, contract, and pricing data within ERP, procurement, contract management, and related systems. · Collaborate with Finance to validate savings, track budgets, support forecasting, and provide reporting on sourcing performance and category initiatives. · Drive continuous improvement initiatives to simplify procurement processes, improve stakeholder experience, enhance supplier accountability, and increase spend visibility. · Support standardization of indirect materials and services across sites or business units where appropriate to improve leverage, reduce complexity, and create enterprise value. · Perform other similar and related duties as required. Education: · Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Operations, Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience. · Advanced degree or professional certification preferred, such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent procurement/supply chain certification. Experience: · 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain management. · Experience managing indirect spend categories such as MRO, facilities, IT, professional services, HR Services, travel, office supplies, or corporate services preferred. · Experience in a manufacturing, distribution, or multi-site business environment preferred. · Demonstrated experience leading negotiations, sourcing events, supplier performance reviews, and cost savings initiatives. Demonstrated contracting experience in IT and Professional Services, Software licensing and subscription. Skills / Knowledge / Abilities: · Expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, contract negotiation, indirect procurement, supplier markets, total cost of ownership, and service-based sourcing models. · Strong analytical, negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills, with the ability to assess spend, supplier proposals, and risk, develop business recommendations, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and drive organizational alignment. · Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, e-sourcing and contract management platforms, Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint), and AI tools. · Demonstrated ability to manage multiple sourcing projects, supplier relationships, and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. · Collaborative, self-directed, results-oriented, and comfortable working with ambiguity; willing to travel domestically and internationally as needed.