Associate Sourcing Manager
Associate Sourcing Manager
The Associate Sourcing Manager owns the e-sourcing process and are experts in commodity market information utilized to provide the best SKU value and cost protections to our customer. The position encompasses expanding the supplier base by developing viable supplier relationships, as well facilitating streamlined joint sourcing and negotiation activities between the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar banners. They are responsible for developing and managing project plans, resources, timelines, and deliverables; working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to address challenges and opportunities as it relates to costing, SKU specifications, suppliers, negotiations, and the e-sourcing / auction process.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
• Responsible for delivering negotiated cost savings synergies on an annual basis through proactive commodity analysis, cost change negotiations, and category deep dives
o Oversee the merchandise e-sourcing / auction process; Meeting with all relevant teams, facilitating collection and validation of SKU specifications, managing communication and development of suppliers, managing request for information (RFI) and request for proposals (RFP) projects, and analyzing total proposal value (cost, supplier qualification, freight, etc.) to determine best course of action.
o Develop negotiation strategy and position; Analyze cost proposals including the elements of cost, i.e., raw material, direct labor, overhead, and general and administrative rates.
o Perform market research and data gathering from various industry, government, and trade sources on Dollar Tree | Family Dollar commodity exposures with a primary focus on resin, energy, metal, meat, and agriculture to provide merchandise teams with impactful commodity reporting and supplier market landscape reporting.
o Track and report on impact from margin and/or value improvement projects.
o Own and develop the qualified supplier matrix for assigned commodity and categories, and collaborate with peers for cross divisional alignment.
o Manage/Lead cost increase analysis and rebuttals through fact-based reporting, market indexing, commodity indexing, and communication development.
o Ensure our company is delivering quality products manufactured at the best cost to the appropriate specs that meet and exceed our product and brand strategy and standards.
• Other strategic sourcing projects as assigned
Position Requirements:
• Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization and with external suppliers in a constructive and collaborative manner
• Ability to consolidate, analyze, and effectively communicate complex data
• Ability to mentor peers, both inside and outside the department
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent analytical and project management skills
• Critical thinking and decision making: The ability to solve complex problems and think through both tangible (holistic supply chain costs) and intangible (future value of supplier relationships) factors in making decisions for the company
• Demonstrates strong analytical capability in commodity research and/or trading and trending impact to supply chain
• Ability to diagnose value of commodity components of a stock keeping unit (SKU)
• Experience in supplier assessment and selection
• Knowledge of product manufacturing practices
Minimum Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree (BA / BS / BFA) or equivalent experience, MBA preferred.
Experience: 2-4 years of corporate retail experience in Inventory Management, Merchandising, Planning, and/or Global Sourcing preferred. Relevant internships desired.
Software: High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint). Advanced to expert experience with excel is preferred. Comfort with utilizing e-sourcing tools and reporting solutions (micro strategy, business objects, etc.)