What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Sourcing Manager position at Lincoln Electric?
Role Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for development of sourcing strategies, supplier management, and savings initiatives within the Corporate Services category for Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Environmental Health and Safety (including execution of IT strategic sourcing strategy for these categories). This includes supplier relationship management, alignment with business strategy/goals, and leading/participating in project initiatives that drive change.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Develop and lead the execution of the enterprise-wide sourcing strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, digital transformation goals, and operational priorities.
- Identify and drive strategic sourcing initiatives that deliver cost savings, innovation, and improved vendor performance.
Team & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior functional area and business leaders, influencing decisions and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
- Work with a team of sourcing specialists, who will support day-to-day sourcing/procurement activities and execution of the sourcing strategy.
Vendor Decisioning & Contract Oversight
- Facilitate strategic vendor decisions, including competitive bids, negotiations, and contract lifecycle management.
- Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and risk management requirements across all assigned contracts.
Process Optimization & Innovation
- Champion the use of digital sourcing tools (eRFx, eAuction, spend analytics) and best practices to enhance sourcing efficiency and transparency.
- Continuously assess and improve sourcing processes, policies, and governance frameworks.
Vendor Risk & Performance Management
- Assist with the implementation of robust vendor risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
- Oversee strategic vendor relationships and performance monitoring.
- Participate in the tracking of global KPIs for sourcing effectiveness, vendor performance, and cost/value delivery. Develop and track additional KPIs, as needed.
Experience and Core Skills
- Bachelor’s degree (Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering field), Associate's Degree, or High School Diploma.
- 5–8 years in sourcing or procurement, including ownership of mid-size spend categories.
- Strategic sourcing methodology, and category strategy development.
- Proven experience running RFx’s and contract negotiations.
- Cross-functional collaboration with operations, legal, finance, etc..
- Data-driven decision making using spend analysis.
- ERP and eSourcing platform expertise (SAP Ariba, Jaggaer, Oracle, Zycus).
- Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination with internal stakeholders.
Preferred Attributes
- Change agent who is Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving change in a dynamic environment
- Certification in Supply Management (CPSM from ISM, APICS)
- Category knowledge/experience
- Demonstrated success in cost savings, supplier consolidation, and innovative outcomes
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Category-Level Cost Savings and Value Delivered
- % Spend with Preferred Suppliers and Contract Compliance
- Execution of Supplier Consolidation Roadmaps
- Supplier On-Time Delivery and Quality Scorecard Adherence
- Lead-Time Targets by Category (tracked quarterly)