The Strategic Sourcing Manager – Retail Operations is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that support retail store operations across store supplies, consumables, packaging, equipment, and outsourced services. This role ensures cost competitiveness, supplier performance, operational continuity, and alignment with store needs while driving value through strategic sourcing, supplier innovation, and process optimization.
Category Strategy Development
Develop and maintain multi-year category strategies for store supplies, packaging, store equipment, and store services. Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and cost modeling. Identify cost reduction and value creation opportunities.
Deliverables:
- Documented category strategies with savings targets
- Annual sourcing pipeline and opportunity roadmap
- Risk mitigation and continuity plans
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Execution
Lead RFx processes from requirements through award. Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, service levels, and contracts. Standardize SKUs and drive demand aggregation across stores.
Deliverables:
- Executed sourcing events with measurable savings
- Signed supplier agreements with clear SLAs and KPIs
- SKU rationalization plans and implementation
Supplier Relationship Management
Establish supplier segmentation and governance model. Conduct quarterly business reviews with key suppliers. Drive supplier performance improvements and innovation initiatives.
Deliverables:
- Supplier scorecards
- QBR decks and action plans
- Continuous improvement pipeline
Store Operations Alignment
Partner with retail operations, store managers, and facilities. Ensure sourcing decisions support store efficiency and customer experience. Act as escalation point for supply disruptions.
Deliverables:
- Stakeholder alignment plans
- Store feedback loop tracking
- Service recovery plans
Cost & Performance Management
Track and report savings, cost avoidance, and cost trends. Monitor budget adherence and spend under management.
Deliverables:
- Savings reports
- Spend dashboards
- Performance vs. budget analysis
Contract & Risk Management
Ensure contracts include clear SLAs and compliance terms. Manage supply continuity risks and supplier health.
Deliverables:
- Contract repository
- Risk register
- Compliance tracking
Sustainability & ESG Initiatives
Drive sustainable packaging and sourcing. Partner with suppliers on waste reduction.
Deliverables:
- Sustainability roadmap
- Reduction metrics
- ESG compliance tracking
Process Improvement & Systems
Drive adoption of procurement tools and improve store ordering processes.
Deliverables:
- Catalog enablement
- Process improvements
- Training materials
Success Metrics
- Cost savings and avoidance
- Spend under management
- Supplier performance
- Store satisfaction
- Contract compliance
- SKU reduction
- ESG metrics