KP Recruiting Group is a consulting firm that providesleadership and exceptional talent to some of the world’s leading companies.Headquartered in the Midwest, KP Recruiting Group has successfully completedcountless engagements in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Werepresent clients in all industries and all sizes. Our mission is to provideexceptional client and candidate experiences in order to get the best possibleresults. On behalf of our client, we are excited to present the following confidentialrole. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing the opportunity!

The Role:

The Supplier Diversity Manager will work closely and collaborate with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Vendor Management, and functional leaders to ensure appropriate identification, qualification, and inclusion of diverse suppliers. Facilitate the execution of short- and long-term supplier diversity strategies, goals, objectives, and action plans in support of the company's strategic and annual business plans such as operational efficiency, business growth, and social responsibility.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the supplier diversity program for the organization. Develop steering committee stakeholders, and various project members, drive agenda, goals, and objectives of the supplier diversity program.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and program leadership to ensure appropriate identification, qualification, and inclusion of small businesses and diverse suppliers.

• Attend or host outreach events and represent the company’s supplier diversity program as a participant and/or panelist.

• Partner with Procurement to analyze spend data. Produce monthly, quarterly, and semiannual reports for internal analysis and reporting against spend goals and objectives.

• Act as an advocate to ensure that maximum practicable subcontracting bidding opportunities are offered to Small Business (SB), Minority Business (MB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Disability-Owned (DOBE), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender-Owned (LGBT) and small businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone).

• Mature and coordinate the Tier 1 program. In collaboration with internal stakeholders, establish a Tier 2 program. Promote and ensure compliance with state and federal contract requirements related to small business laws, regulations and company policies and procedures as well as collaborating internally to develop supplier diversity spend goals that are aligned with BCBSRI workforce diversity aspirations and leadership.

• Benchmark industry best practices in supplier diversity programs and implement appropriate practices into BCBSRI’s supplier diversity strategy.

• Monitor new and existing business contracts and RFXs to identify opportunities for diverse suppliers.

• Monitor adherence with Federal Government subcontracting plan goals and work with program teams to improve subcontractor performance.

• Partner with internal teams to ensure supplier diversity website, executive messaging and the onboarding portal are maintained.

• Plan and execute supplier diversity initiatives and generate internal/external communications about the supplier diversity program.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience:

• A combination of education and applicable experience
• Five or more years of related experience in supplier diversity function
• Experience with government subcontracting reporting requirements

Preferred Education, Additional Qualifications and Experience:

• Project management experience (ability to plan, organize, implement, and deliver)
• Previous experience with working with Business Systems and an ability to learn and exploit data systems to automate reporting
• Professional certification in supply chain is desirable, e.g. from ISM (CPSM, CPM), from APICS (CPIM, CIRM)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities:

• Passion in advocating for diversity and building long term business relationships
• Strong willingness and ability to network and build relationships with a diverse set of suppliers
• Strong analytical skills
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong cross functional relationships
• Self-starter with ability to work independently
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to influence audiences and lead change management
• Ability to lead and influence without authority
• Strong proficiency with MS office (e.g., Excel and PowerPoint), SharePoint, and workflow/database programs required
• Proficiency in procurement best practices, policies, and tools
• Travel required (dependent upon candidate location)
• Proven ability to work in collaboration with external service providers, building and developing effective service provider relationships
• Ability to establish, document, and assure compliance to processes, guidelines and policies
• Knowledge of key performance metrics

Benefits

Ourclient offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

401kMatching

Family andIndividual Insurance Packages (Health, Life, Dental, and Vision)

Paid TimeOff & Paid Holidays

Long &Short-Term Disability

IdentityTheft Plans

Retirement& Pension Plans

EmployeeAssistance Program

EmployeeReferral Program

TuitionReimbursement Programs

Advancement& Professional Growth opportunities 

ParentalLeave

& More