Overview

Topco Associates is currently seeking a Senior Sourcing Manager for the Fresh Meat Team in Elk Grove Village, IL. This position will be a hybrid role, with the successful candidate conducting work in our Elk Grove Village office and virtually.

Topco's mission is to provide solutions for our member owners, regional retailers, and wholesalers, and help them achieve a competitive advantage in the markets they serve. We aspire to develop high-performing teams to resemble the diversity of our members' shopper communities to drive greater innovation and creativity that ultimately enhances our business results, and the value Topco provides to its membership.

The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading both the short term (day to day) and long term (2-3 year) strategic sourcing strategy and execution for their categories. They are responsible for ensuring that their categories are delivered to the member at a total lowest cost of ownership, achieve maximum member participation, and enhance the competitive position and profitability of Topco member companies. The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading a team of 2 to 4 associates, achieving department goals (productivity), and working with their program counterpart to drive value added category results and innovation. The Senior Sourcing Manager is also responsible for leading best practice sharing among their peers and driving continuous improvement of the Procurement processes. The Senior Sourcing Manager will manage $180MM to $400MM in Procurement spend.

Responsibilities

Project Planning and Execution:

• Establish annual goals and objectives for the team that are aligned to company/department objectives.
• Develop and refine procurement strategies with the goal to make optimum sourcing decisions. This includes locating new sources of supply, finding high quality and competitively priced products, utilizing e-sourcing tools to gather information and negotiate with supply base, identifying alternative specifications, identifying common specifications, aggregating member spend, contracting and/or introducing new technologies or techniques to drive savings or value to members.
• Support sourcing lead as necessary in developing category supply chain strategy, setting category goals, budgeting and measuring against established budgets and goals.

Category Expertise

• Develop and maintain deep understanding of categories under management.
• Analyze market trends and conditions that affect suppliers, cost of goods, raw materials, pricing and the resulting impact of the business and the supply chain.
• Effectively demonstrate this market expertise in member interactions and project related communications to influence member decision-making.

Member Experience:

• Keep internal organization focused on delivering high quality services and low costs to members on time.
• Demonstrate exceptional understanding of member’s business issues and strong customer relationship management skills to support members

Supplier Management:

• Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers in managed categories to ensure compliance with category program(s) including timely and accurate acquisition costs, order management, customer management and risk management.
• Periodically, prepare and issue Supplier Management Scorecards.

Leadership:  

• Demonstrate leadership competency skills including short and long range supply chain category strategies, talent and team development, strong business acumen and change management.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in an analytical, supply chain or business discipline required

Technical Skills:

• Superior Negotiations skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Highly developed analytical skills, including vast experience with MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint
• Ability to influence others to drive decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to conduct detailed market/supplier research and analysis
• Ability to work virtually if necessary (from home or while traveling) with little or no oversight from direct manager

Previous Experience:

• 8 years or more of sourcing categories, supervisory experience required
• Experience sourcing beef, poultry, pork, or packaged meat is preferred

Other Qualifications:

• Willingness to travel 10 to 20% of the time on average

Topco strives for a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects our member shopper’s communities. If your experience similarly reflects what you see listed in the job description, please consider applying, as individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence; therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Topco is an equal employment opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis, including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, veteran's status, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.