Senior Sourcing Manager- Marketing

Job Description

The Senior Sourcing Manager- Marketing & Sales will be responsible for executing sourcing activities, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and implementing cost-saving initiatives for the Marketing & Sales spend categories across Ghirardelli and Lindt & Sprüngli (USA). The Sourcing Manager will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive operational procurement excellence in the Marketing & Sales category.

The position maintains alignment with the global procurement strategy and the directives of the Head Group Indirect Procurement in Lindt International.

The Senior Sourcing Manager- Marketing & Sales position can be located in San Leandro, CA, but we are also open to candidates in the Kansas City, MO and Stratham, NH areas.

Essential Functions

Category Strategy Development and Execution

• Develop regional category strategies for Marketing & Sales in close collaboration and alignment with the Sourcing Director Indirects, focusing on cost, quality, and supplier alignment with organizational goals.
• Leads the development and implementation of sourcing strategies across relevant Indirect categories using the 7-step sourcing process.
• Conducts market analyses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across main spend categories in scope.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers, fostering continuous improvements in their performance.

Contract Negotiation & Execution

• Leads contract negotiations with largest suppliers to secure favorable terms, conditions, and pricing, balancing quality, service, risk management, and cost objectives.
• Ensure robust contracts are developed, that support long-term supplier relationships and protect the company's interests.
• Ensure that all contract terms align with legal and compliance requirements, as well as the organization's procurement strategies.
• Ensure suppliers comply with the agreed contractual terms, in collaboration with the relevant functions.
• Ensure agreements with Group suppliers are correctly implemented across the relevant subsidiaries in North America, collaborating closely with Group Indirect Procurement where appropriate

Manage and Prioritize Procurement Project Pipeline

• Work as business partners across functions to understand and support their procurement requirements, building a yearly pipeline of projects with associated benefit targets in alignment with the functions
• Maintain sourcing project tracker updated with latest project information and status.

Cost-Savings Program and Execution

• Execute cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, and process efficiencies.
• Track and report sourcing savings, ensuring alignment with annual cost-saving targets.
• Participate as key contributor to any cost savings ideation workshop with the relevant functions
• Partner with suppliers to identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring continuous improvement in quality, service, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Group Indirect Procurement team to support the execution of global initiatives.

Procurement Process & Execution Compliance

• Ensure procurement processes follow company policies, procurement best practices, and governance standards.
• Support the rollout of procurement systems and tools, assisting in system adoption across teams.
• Maintain procurement documentation and records, ensuring full traceability for audits and internal reviews.
• Ensure compliance with Supplier Code of Conduct and Corporate Social Responsibility requirements.

Supplier Performance and Risk Management

• Collaborate across functions to monitor supplier performance vs. agreed quality and service standards.
• Implement supplier scorecards and conduct regular performance reviews with largest suppliers, ensuring improvement plans are in place where necessary.
• Identify potential risks and develop contingency plans to protect the organization from supply interruptions or volatility.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of professional experience in a global / regional procurement organization, preferably within FMCG or food industry
• Consolidated procurement experience in Marketing and Sales procurement, with solid experience in Creative / Design Agencies, Marketing Agencies, Market Research, POS Materials, Merchandising Agencies.
• Successful track record of designing and implementing sourcing strategies in a decentralized organization, delivering sustainable year-on-year cost reductions without compromising service level
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams on a change journey with discipline, transparency and authenticity
• Strong project management experience and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Previous experience in Marketing or consulting background of advantage
• Advanced negotiation skills, with experience in defining and negotiating different commercial models within the categories in scope
• Experience in designing and negotiating master service agreements, in collaboration with the Legal department
• Experience in extracting value from service level / specifications optimization, as well as demand management
• Strong stakeholder management skills: obtaining buy-in from central and local senior management is critical for being successful in this position
• Experience in e-sourcing and other advanced sourcing tools relevant for the categories in scope

Personal Characteristics

• Working with teams across several nationalities and cultures
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with key stakeholders in multiple locations
• Down-to-earth work attitude, hands-on mentality
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Entrepreneurial mind-set
• Business and financial acumen
• Excellent social & communication skills

Company Description

Lindt and Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is the Supply Chain and Business Shared Services Company supporting the Lindt & Sprüngli family of brands (Lindt USA, Ghirardelli Chocolates and Russell Stover Chocolates), headquartered in Kansas City, MO.

Employment by Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, and satisfactory employment and background checks.

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Principals only, please.

San Leandro, CA: $160,000-$170,000/year