Since 1952, Lawson Products has worked hard to make our customers' jobs easier by improving their operational efficiency, productivity, and overall performance. As a leader in the MRO industry, we partner with customers to make sure they have the right maintenance and repair parts on hand when needed.

We’re looking for a motivated Senior Manager of Strategic Sourcing responsible for leading a team of Sourcing Specialists to create and execute sourcing strategies to optimize Lawson's product cost as well as develop new strategic vendor relationships with national and global suppliers. Working in concert with the Product Strategy and Supplier Management teams, this individual will work to drive continuous improvement in cost management, re-sourcing initiatives and cross-functional activities related to our commercial relationship and overall performance of our vendor base. This role will continuously scan and identify new solutions and suppliers who meet Lawson's quality, cost, and delivery requirements, negotiating pricing and contracts, and ensuring ongoing meaningful evaluation of potential suppliers.

This role will be a hybrid role with 2 days in the office and 3 days working remote. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical benefits, dental, vision, and retirement benefits, as well as a paid holiday and PTO package. We offer 401k plus vision, dental and medical benefits, as well as a paid holiday and PTO package.

Responsibilities:

Strategy Development and Execution

• Primarily works on the development of new supplier relationships as well as collaborating with Product Strategy and Supplier Management teams in the management of our existing vendor base.
• Creates, executes, and leads strategic sourcing strategies and initiatives, executing against departmental and organizational objectives, developing short- and long-term strategies that are inventive, cost-effective and encourage a high level of supplier performance.
• Leads all strategic and tactical elements of vendor cost including comprehensive Request for Proposals (RFPs).
• Sources and validates new and potential suppliers, driving cost savings, ensuring products are procured with the highest quality, at the best price, and with the shortest lead time, while ensuring supplier capacity meets product-supply requirements.
• Negotiates with suppliers to secure advantageous terms and conditions (including pricing, administrative fees, rebate programs, and growth incentives), working with the legal department to execute optimal contracts with key suppliers.
• Ensures cooperation of internal stakeholders in defining sourcing needs and expectations, as well as capitalizing upon all cost reduction opportunities including operational efficiency programs.
• Develops and maintains expert knowledge of respective global supply markets, competitors, and product innovations, staying abreast of fluctuations and trends in commodity markets and global supply chain/transportation capacity. Supports internal teams in forecasting the impact of market trends on Lawson's operations and savings/performance targets.
• Establishes new relationships and oversees supplier transitions. Visits suppliers as necessary to make onsite assessments.
• Leads in the creation, testing, and implementation of processes and tools regarding domestic and international strategic supplier development, including qualification ratings, capability assessments, performance tracking, and relationship development.

Department Head

• Develops, oversees, and leads strategic sourcing organization to execute against stated departmental and organizational objectives.
• Sets priorities, goals and KPI for department and team members.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, with a major in Supply Chain Management, Operations or Logistics preferred, plus 10 years of multi-functional supply chain management experience in a distribution or manufacturing company, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree in operations or MBA preferred, as are APICS Certified (CPIM), ISM (CPSM) certifications.
• Requires broad knowledge of safety and MRO industry products, commonly used concepts, policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to develop an index-based costing methodology based on global indexes for material and production costs, labor, packaging, transportation, and monetary exchange rates for international sources.
• Skills to effectively negotiate an index-based costing model with key suppliers to mitigate risk in rising markets and provide margin-improvement opportunities in downturn markets.
• Ability to coordinate supplier agreements to ensure that the benefits of the sales side reflect the benefits of the buy side.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to utilize data to solve issues or improve processes.
• In-depth experience using ERP systems, as well as the ability to synthesize large amounts of data creating management reports.
• Ability to professionally present findings and recommendations to Senior Executives.
• Ability to provide guidance and influence to all levels of the organization, including internal stakeholders as well as management.
• Self-motivated and comfortable leading the decision-making process for cross-functional teams.
• Proven track record of success in similar and related Supply Chain Management roles.
• Knowledge of Lean or 6-Sigma process improvement preferred.
• Up to 25% travel, including overseas to support LCC initiatives.

We seek a seasoned strategic sourcing professional, who is self-directed and highly motivated, with:

• Sourcing and supplier management experience.
• Strong knowledge of industrial manufacturing, direct materials cost reduction, and indirect goods and services management and associated supply markets.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic sourcing and procurement, with complex project management skills.
• Significant verbal and written communication skills with superior negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Solid analytical abilities including the ability to structure complex problems and create appropriate, fact-based solutions.
• Demonstrated success in leading and participating in multiple high-performing cross-functional teams that deliver quantifiable results.
• Proven supplier management capabilities.

Lawson Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.