Job Description:

• Establish a Group-wide sourcing support model that partners collaboratively with all function leaders to drive better vendor spend
• Embed consistent practices across Cengage Group for vendor selection with category-specific criteria for vendor evaluation
• Establish purchasing strategies across all Cengage Group spend categories, prioritizing categories based on opportunity, balancing cost objectives with other strategic business goals
• Drive continuous improvement in Group-wide vendor spend by setting functional procurement targets, running periodic market reviews, tracking vendor spend performance
• Partner with function leaders to help them find opportunities to hit and overachieve their procurement targets
• Grow the share of spend from strategic vendors and eliminate duplication of spend
• Develop relationships with major Cengage Group vendors to facilitate deeper partnering
• Lead on all aspects of vendor activities including selection with business partners, negotiations, and contracting
• Report progress against initiatives to IT, Operations, Finance, and other stakeholders
• Manage and modify the Cengage Group procurement policy to ensure adequate visibility and appropriate controls

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in operations management, Engineering, Business, or a technical field
• 10 or more years of strong progressive management experience in Sourcing or Supply Chain Operations role/function
• Team leadership and Strategic Sourcing direction setting experience
• Experience across all types of vendor types such as software, T&E, Professional Services, and Contractors
• Ability to develop and mentor others
• Comfort guiding and interpreting sophisticated spend analysis
• Proven negotiating skills with very strong Project Leadership experience
• Knowledge and experience with SAP preferred
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, 10% of time

Benefits:

• Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees
• Discretionary incentive bonus program