Sr. Director, Strategic Sourcing

Job Purpose

The Sr Director of Strategic Sourcing leads the procurement strategy for 8+ sourcing categories, overseeing approximately $500 to $700 million in annual spend, and manages commodity risk management across the full direct-spend portfolio. This leader will be an expert in the sourcing markets, analyzing trends, mitigating supply risk based on forecasted demand, actively developing deep relationships with current and potential suppliers, working cross-collaboratively with culinary, QA, and other key internal groups, and executing a strategic procurement plans to ensure that Panera obtains the highest quality products at a competitive price.

Personal competencies for success include the ability to master both strategic and operational issues, efficiently manage multiple competing priorities, exhibit outstanding teamwork and collaboration skills, possess excellent communication, negotiation and relationship skills, and the demonstrated ability to manage through transformational change.

Location: Remote

Duties & Responsibilities

The Sr Director Strategic Sourcing will lead the following categories: Bakery, Produce, Logistics, Warehousing and Distribution, and subset of protein category in addition will be responsible for commodities risk management across the entire direct-spend portfolio.

Category Management

• Fully understand and lead assigned category or categories, exhibiting deep subject matter knowledge in:
  • Commodity expertise
  • Cost drivers
  • Usage and forecasts
  • New product development
• Develop and own the cost plan for assigned category or categories; monitor and maintain performance for the year
• Recognize, cultivate, and lead cost savings measures to the system and Panera LLC
• Negotiate the lowest price based on based on deploying the most profitable response to our demand in consideration of our product specifications, quality, service levels, and industry conditions
• Work together with cross-functional partners such as QA, Operations, Culinary, Finance to provide project visibility and allow for cross functional alignment and execution of Sourcing projects

Supplier Management

• Grow, maintain, and establish strong supplier business relationships
• Actively solicit supplier performance feedback from Team Panera
• Enhance supplier development by communicating Team Panera’s performance standards measures, develop joint improvement initiatives (product, process, etc) as needed
• Conduct and lead regular business review sessions with our supplier partners in order to inform and align them with Panera’s strategy for managed products
• Develop and ensure up to date management of supplier contingency plans and strategy in the event the primary supplier is unable to performs as required (quality, delivery, spec adherence, etc)
• Ensure we have supplier contracts and pricing agreements detailing costs and pricing methodology
• Coordinate with Panera’s Supply Management team in determining optimal supplier locations and delivery methods
• Coordinate the execution of new product (permanent or LTO) introductions in the Panera system, considering production lead times, MOQs, and contingency

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Qualifications include:

• Education
  • College degree in Business, Supply Chain, or an associated Field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• Specialized knowledge
  • Contract negotiation
  • Strategic sourcing
• Skills
  • Exceptional critical thinking skills with strategic mindset
• Abilities
  • Financial understanding of company and department measures
• Other characteristics such as personal characteristics
  • Ability to adapt easily to rapidly changing situations and priorities. Comfortable adjusting concepts to fit new situations.
  • Comfortable delivering feedback to both supplier partners and internal partners while maintaining a good relationship and leading to effective results
• Professional Certification
  • None required
• Experience
  • 15+ years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Strategic Sourcing
  • 10+ years of experience with specific category or categories to be managed with at least 5 years of >$150M spend oversight
  • Demonstrated contract negotiation experience with positive financial and supply outcomes

Working Conditions

• Required travel ~ 25%

Physical Requirements

• While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk hear & use hands and fingers to operate keyboards

Direct Reports

• This position will initially have 3 direct report.