Manager, Indirect Central Purchasing

What’s the job?

The Manager, Indirect Central Purchasing manages the North American purchasing strategy for specific central services (Marketing and Travel) that fall within the scope of the Indirect Purchasing team supporting central business functions. In this capacity, the role is responsible for all aspects of category management for these strategic, indirect, and complex purchase categories across all business units in North America. This position engages with stakeholder teams at leadership levels to drive the purchasing activities for the benefit of the organization. Additionally, as this role is part of a Regional Purchasing team, the Category Manager will work in sync with the Global Purchasing team in France. A key challenge for this role is to act as a conduit, converting Saint-Gobain macro strategies into actions and projects. The Manager, Indirect Central Purchasing also provides support and guidance for local purchasing teams dedicated to the North American Business Units. This position does not have direct reports but will lead cross-functional project teams, engaging internal Stakeholders according to each project need.

This position is responsible for execution of the Indirect Purchasing strategy for assigned Central Services Categories at Saint-Gobain in North America with est. $50MM+ spend responsibility across Indirect central services categories. The Strategy will align with corporative initiatives, properly translating these goals into tangible actions and deliverables that incorporate business requirements approved by central services leaders across North America. This person will establish and lead cross-functional teams to develop, advocate, and implement best-in-class purchasing category strategies to achieve short and long-term objectives, working closely with related internal departments (e.g. Legal, Privacy, IT & Security) to ensure success.

Develop, lead, and maintain sourcing activities that deliver the category strategy objectives: Identify spend, control sourcing strategy, and lead sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract negotiations, and supplier selection to optimize the value proposition and drive savings associated with the assigned categories of indirect spend for North American businesses utilizing the digital purchasing e-Tools provided by Saint-Gobain.

What will you do?

• Maintain an understanding of industry purchasing best practices, sustainability and technology trends and continually educate fellow Purchasing colleagues and business partners; effectively communicate applicable industry information to relevant stakeholders and leadership. Advocate for changes in process after identifying Market best practices.
• Proactively develop and manage strategy with Central Purchase suppliers to identify opportunities for program improvements including requirements for supplier reporting of program benefits and future opportunities where success is measured from the C-suite.
• Prepare annual strategic travel plan in conjunction with the preferred travel management company (TMC) to align with global objectives and policies and direct the activities of the TMC to ensure excellent customer service to the Saint-Gobain traveler community.
• Develop, lead, and maintain sourcing activities that deliver the category strategy objectives: Identify spend, control sourcing strategy, and lead sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract negotiations, and supplier selection to optimize the value proposition and drive savings associated with the assigned categories of indirect spend for North American businesses utilizing the digital purchasing e-Tools provided by Saint-Gobain.
• Negotiate air, hotel, and car rental agreements as part of the global travel team and ensure discounted pricing is implemented in the Travel Management System (TMS).
• Lead contractual discussion with Vendors, engaging risk partners (Commercial Legal Counsel, IP Legal Counsel, Insurance, Cyber-security, etc.) according to project requirements and ensure a successful transition from the sourcing process to achieve the required business and functional needs; Finally, ensure all project documentation is maintained per policies.
• Maintain a robust contract management process with SLA tracking, periodic Executive meetings or through any other necessary channels to guarantee purchases are delivered as negotiated between the Parties.
• Organize and lead periodic reviews for the Marketing and Travel categories related to Purchasing strategy, preferred suppliers, and performance against key indicators supporting the central stakeholder community comprised of central services directors and VPs.
• Work with the Travel & Expense Compliance Center (TECC) to resolve travel-related expense report issues.
• Monitor and communicate changes in legislation affecting business travel. Provide ongoing traveler support as needed for Saint-Gobain businesses in North America.
• Material preparation for yearly reviews with Management Committee members related to Central Purchase strategy, preferred suppliers, and supplier performance.
• Provide multi-modal communication to all levels of Central stakeholders and global Purchasing leaders.
• Understand applicable company policy and ensure personal and team compliance including the purchasing policy and procedures.
• Align newly acquired businesses into the CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain Purchasing function and deploy synergies within the preferred vendor network aimed at reducing cost or improving service.
• Periodic review of supplier catalogs available in Saint-Gobain’s buying platform, Agora, to assess the ever-evolving needs of employees in need of a streamlined, non-Purchasing led purchase process and collaboration with the Senior Manager, Indirect Central Purchasing to improve the program.

What do you bring?

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in the required field.
• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, and procurement with a focus on indirect goods and services strongly preferred
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in manufacturing company/environment preferred.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence all levels of employees and management, both inside the company and externally with suppliers.
• Interest in integrating a high-performing team and pursuing professional growth
• Deep understanding of category management, strategic sourcing, and total cost methodologies. Actively keeps abreast of developing best practices in procurement and key indirect category industries.
• Ability to manage multiple high-visibility projects at once with demonstrated project management and supplier management skills and an eagerness to solicit feedback on the results.
• Business management skills including the ability to develop and execute strategy. Solid understanding of business disciplines and financials with an ability to make data-driven decisions or recommendations and align decisions with strategies. Considers the impacts of decisions on other parts of the organization and a willingness to pivot quickly when presented with information that alters project course.
• Strong Microsoft Office suite skills. Strong systems aptitude and analytical skills
• Strong written & verbal communication skills, as well as effective presentation skills key to success
• SPSM, CPSM, CPOM, or other Purchasing/Procurement certification(s) and/or PMP certification(s) preferred.

What are our perks?

We provide unique options to fit your unique lives Our Total Rewards Program is customizable to accommodate your needs.

Our menu of flexible options includes, but is not limited to:

• Excellent healthcare options: Medical, vision, prescription & dental
• Family Focus & Balance: Parental leave, paid time-off and Employee Assistance Program
• Financial Security: Competitive 401(k), Company-funded Retirement Accumulation Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program (PEG)
• Tuition Reimbursement: Continuing education for every season of your career
• Pet Insurance options: Insurance plan & prescription discount program for your furry friends
• Employee Recognition Programs
• PerkSpot: Our exclusive one-stop online discount marketplace
• LiveWell: Rewarding you for living a healthy lifestyle

At Saint-Gobain, our employees have pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, & Collaboration. Our company encourages diversity and inclusion in all its forms while making the world a more beautiful and sustainable home.

Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.