Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager @ Sunsrce

Since 1974, United Central Industrial Supply, a SunSource company, has been providing industrial operators throughout North America the components and services they need, when they need them. Our span of product offering, manufacturing partnerships, and our unmatched customer service has been the cornerstone of our success. www.unitedcentral.net

The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, improve supply continuity, and support business growth objectives. This role leads supplier negotiations, category management strategies, contract administration, and cross-functional sourcing projects for a major national distributor serving industrial and mining customers throughout North America.

The Senior Sourcing Manager serves as a key business partner to Operations, Inventory Management, Product Management, Sales, and Finance, ensuring that sourcing decisions support customer service, profitability, and competitive market positioning. The role manages critical supplier relationships across a portfolio of thousands of products and works closely with internal stakeholders to drive value, innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across assigned product categories to ensure cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and supplier performance.
• Lead negotiations with strategic suppliers to secure favorable pricing, payment terms, rebates, service-level agreements, and volume incentive programs.
• Manage supplier relationships and serve as the primary escalation point for strategic sourcing and supplier-related issues.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews using key metrics including cost, quality, delivery performance, service levels, and responsiveness.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, strategic partnerships, and long-term value creation.
• Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support business growth, risk mitigation, and category expansion initiatives.

Category & Cost Management

• Analyze spend data, market trends, and industry conditions to identify cost-reduction and margin improvement opportunities.
• Develop and execute category management plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• Drive sourcing initiatives that improve overall profitability while maintaining product quality and customer service levels.
• Partner with Pricing, Product Management, and Sales leadership to support competitive pricing strategies.
• Continuously evaluate product offerings and sourcing alternatives to enhance the company’s market position.

Contract Negotiation & Administration

• Lead contract negotiations and manage supplier agreements to ensure commercial and operational objectives are met.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and company purchasing policies.
• Maintain accurate contract documentation and monitor contract renewals, rebates, and supplier commitments.
• Collaborate with Legal and Finance teams on contract reviews and supplier risk assessments.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Inventory Management to improve forecasting accuracy, inventory availability, and inventory turns.
• Support branch operations and sales teams in resolving sourcing challenges, product availability concerns, and pricing issues.
• Collaborate with Product Specialists and Operations leaders to evaluate new product opportunities and supplier solutions.
• Provide recommendations to senior leadership regarding sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and market conditions.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Supplier Risk & Compliance

• Monitor supply market conditions, geopolitical risks, and supplier performance factors that could impact business operations.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical products and suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers meet company standards regarding quality, safety, compliance, and ethical business practices.
• Support initiatives related to supplier diversity, sustainability, and risk management where applicable.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist branch and regional leadership with strategic sourcing, supplier performance, and competitive pricing concerns.
• Participate in supplier visits, industry conferences, trade shows, and business meetings.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and market assessments.
• Develop and deliver sourcing-related training programs for employees and stakeholders.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives and excess inventory reduction programs.
• Implement and enforce company policies and sourcing procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.
• Travel as required.

Required Technical Skills

• ERP Systems (AS400 experience preferred)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Spend Analysis and Reporting Tools
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Systems
• Contract Management Platforms
• Standard Office Equipment

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field required.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience leading complex supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience managing high-spend categories and working with large supplier networks.
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Familiarity with industrial distribution, mining, manufacturing, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively with senior leadership teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact [email protected] to request reasonable accommodation. Only requests for accommodation in the application process will be returned from this email address. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí). Sun-Source | Privacy Policy #ucassc