What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager position at United Central Industrial Supply Company, L.L.C.?
Since 1974, United Central Industrial Supply, a SunSource company, has been providing industrial operators throughout North America the components and services they need, when they need them. Our span of product offering, manufacturing partnerships, and our unmatched customer service has been the cornerstone of our success. www.unitedcentral.net
The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, improve supply continuity, and support business growth objectives. This role leads supplier negotiations, category management strategies, contract administration, and cross-functional sourcing projects for a major national distributor serving industrial and mining customers throughout North America.
The Senior Sourcing Manager serves as a key business partner to Operations, Inventory Management, Product Management, Sales, and Finance, ensuring that sourcing decisions support customer service, profitability, and competitive market positioning. The role manages critical supplier relationships across a portfolio of thousands of products and works closely with internal stakeholders to drive value, innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
The Senior Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, improve supply continuity, and support business growth objectives. This role leads supplier negotiations, category management strategies, contract administration, and cross-functional sourcing projects for a major national distributor serving industrial and mining customers throughout North America.
The Senior Sourcing Manager serves as a key business partner to Operations, Inventory Management, Product Management, Sales, and Finance, ensuring that sourcing decisions support customer service, profitability, and competitive market positioning. The role manages critical supplier relationships across a portfolio of thousands of products and works closely with internal stakeholders to drive value, innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies across assigned product categories to ensure cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and supplier performance
- Lead negotiations with strategic suppliers to secure favorable pricing, payment terms, rebates, service-level agreements, and volume incentive programs
- Manage supplier relationships and serve as the primary escalation point for strategic sourcing and supplier-related issues
- Conduct supplier performance reviews using key metrics including cost, quality, delivery performance, service levels, and responsiveness
- Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, strategic partnerships, and long-term value creation
- Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support business growth, risk mitigation, and category expansion initiatives
- Analyze spend data, market trends, and industry conditions to identify cost-reduction and margin improvement opportunities
- Develop and execute category management plans aligned with organizational objectives
- Drive sourcing initiatives that improve overall profitability while maintaining product quality and customer service levels
- Partner with Pricing, Product Management, and Sales leadership to support competitive pricing strategies
- Continuously evaluate product offerings and sourcing alternatives to enhance the company’s market position
- Lead contract negotiations and manage supplier agreements to ensure commercial and operational objectives are met
- Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and company purchasing policies
- Maintain accurate contract documentation and monitor contract renewals, rebates, and supplier commitments
- Collaborate with Legal and Finance teams on contract reviews and supplier risk assessments
- Partner with Inventory Management to improve forecasting accuracy, inventory availability, and inventory turns
- Support branch operations and sales teams in resolving sourcing challenges, product availability concerns, and pricing issues
- Collaborate with Product Specialists and Operations leaders to evaluate new product opportunities and supplier solutions
- Provide recommendations to senior leadership regarding sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and market conditions
- Lead strategic sourcing projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization
- Monitor supply market conditions, geopolitical risks, and supplier performance factors that could impact business operations
- Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical products and suppliers
- Ensure suppliers meet company standards regarding quality, safety, compliance, and ethical business practices
- Support initiatives related to supplier diversity, sustainability, and risk management where applicable
- Assist branch and regional leadership with strategic sourcing, supplier performance, and competitive pricing concerns
- Participate in supplier visits, industry conferences, trade shows, and business meetings
- Conduct supplier business reviews and market assessments
- Develop and deliver sourcing-related training programs for employees and stakeholders
- Support inventory optimization initiatives and excess inventory reduction programs
- Implement and enforce company policies and sourcing procedures
- Perform additional duties as assigned by management
- Travel as required
- ERP Systems (AS400 experience preferred)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- Spend Analysis and Reporting Tools
- Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Systems
- Contract Management Platforms
- Standard Office Equipment
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field required
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or equivalent preferred
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience leading complex supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives
- Experience managing high-spend categories and working with large supplier networks
- Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and contract management skills
- Familiarity with industrial distribution, mining, manufacturing, or related industries preferred
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively with senior leadership teams
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.