Job Description:

Strategic Sourcing Manager – Logistics/Transportation

The Strategic Sourcing Manager leads purchasing for indirect goods and services within the Logistics category at a regional level, focusing on strategy implementation and operational excellence to deliver long-term value and protect the business. This role drives global and regional initiatives by leveraging supplier relationships and strategic partnerships to promote standardization and best practices across segments. Working closely with cross-functional teams, the Strategic Sourcing Manager embeds sourcing strategies and commercial processes such as responsible sourcing and supplier performance management. The role is pivotal in identifying and delivering value chain optimization opportunities, acting as the first line of escalation for supplier issues, and ensuring robust supplier relationship management.

Specifically, this position provides strategic leadership for end-to-end category management of North American Inbound Transportation, overseeing an annual spend exceeding $100 million across Mars Snacking, Pet, Royal Canin, Food, and other business units. As part of the NA Transportation Team, the Strategic Sourcing Manager ensures high service levels to Mars factories at competitive prices, leads Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and continuous improvement initiatives, and manages issue resolution escalations.

What are we looking for?

• A passion for developing strong relationships with supplier and cross functional stakeholders both domestically and internationally.

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation, or related field).

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management.

• Demonstrated experience in supplier/customer management and financial acumen, specifically within Logistics and Transportation.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Purchase indirect goods & services by securing price, capacity & service levels in line with commitments to the business and as per the sourcing strategies by applying a wide range of sourcing tools (e.g. negotiation, e-procurement, strategic collaboration, tenders/RFP’s, etc.)

• Implement supply base strategy by assessing and developing suppliers in order to meet business needs and opportunities

• Ensure effective risk management of the supply base, through robust contracts and monitoring of financial and other KPIs. Implement corrective actions as appropriate. Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical aspects of projects

• Establish & maintain relationships with finance directors, department directors (plant manager, Commercial manger, supply chain director, ...), and their teams to ensure understanding of their needs and to facilitate the appropriate level of challenge

• Ensure compliance with policies, systems & controls

• Provide market and financial insights and inputs to the internal sourcing planning process

• Recommend and implement best practice for areas of responsibility.

• Participate in team knowledge transfer

• Provide input to and execute the Global & Regional sourcing strategies at a local level and other major work streams

• Participate in external forums and associations

• Lead and contribute to global/regional projects as required

• Participate & lead, when required, engagement programs.

• Actively participate in cross segment team meetings, as well any global and/or specific subcategory team meetings

• Regularly maintain & update relevant KPIs (related to in scope investments: e.g. savings, payment terms etc)

• Responsible for providing support, training and guidance to new team members. As well as coaching and motivating SET operations buyers in the achievement of their objectives. Provide support as needed to individual buyers in complex negotiations and critical issues (e.g.: disputes that threaten continuity of supply, termination of major suppliers, suppliers causing late delivery of projects).

• Acts as the liaison between the sites and, or Business units and the sourcing managers to communicate changing business needs (e.g. specification, volume changes, etc.) and its impact to sourcing strategies

• Execute supplier performance reviews on a regular basis.

• Develop & implement a continuous improvement action plan. Monitor changes and adjust the plan as needed to sustain performance results

• Identifies and manages supplier collaboration initiatives (e.g. electronic invoicing, operational process streamlining, etc.)

• Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical situations. Supports Commercial initiatives

• Identifies opportunities, roadblocks with respect to regional strategies and determines next best local approach as needed.

• Collaborate with other buying operation managers and drive continuous improvement to become more effective and efficient

• Influence internal stakeholders to align with global & regional buying strategy

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

#LI-GK24

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all locations listed within the job posting:USD 107,071.00 - USD 147,223.00