Sr Manager Strategic Sourcing - Mechanical at Omaha

Basic Purpose of Job:

Drive holistic category performance in support of Union Pacific business objectives. Drive purchasing performance and Total Cost of Ownership savings. Develop and implement category strategies. Develop category expertise. Responsible for portfolio of $100+ million spend segments.

This position in the Strategic Sourcing Mechanical group has specific responsibility for highly critical locomotive component parts, including traction motors, locomotive and rotating electrical, and cab communications. The successful candidate will work very closely with the mechanical department to identify and implement strategies related to the category items to improve reliability, performance, as well as reduce the overall total cost of ownership and improve expected life-cycle benefits. Someone with strong people skills, problem solving, project management, locomotive maintenance and/or operating experience with solid financial, procurement, and negotiations highly preferred. 

This is a Band C position reporting to Doug Spire.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for category responsibilities. Design and execute category strategy. Alert sourcing leader to shifts in category drivers that may suggest need for revised sourcing strategy. Lead and/or participate in cross-functional sourcing wave teams as appropriate.

• Fulfill need for specific category expertise for internal customers and supply leadership. Remain current with market trends and internal customer needs. Identify and communicate new technologies and solutions. Maintain deep understanding of supply market dynamics for category.

• Achieve annual value improvements for categories. Pursue cost levers identified by sourcing waves and category management reviews. Measure and track overall progress against performance metrics. Identify and adopt sourcing best practices applicable to categories both internally and externally.

• Drive strategic supplier selection and relationship cultivation. Lead the supplier selection and negotiation process. Develop and manage suppliers for contract compliance and performance improvement opportunities. Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers and internal customers.

• Encourage the development of skills and capabilities in direct reports (Managers, Sr. Analysts). Provide focused feedback and mentorship. Promote team participation in training programs and at times lead training sessions.

 RequirementsPreferred Education, Training, Experience or Skills:

• A Bachelor of Science degree - Preferred emphasis in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Economics or Industrial, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering.

• A Masters of Business Administration degree - Supply Chain Management, Economics, Business, Engineering or Logistics preferred.

• 2 year(s) experience in computer applications - Proficient with MS suite of products, Access, advanced Excel and PowerPoint knowledge preferred. Basic knowledge of Supply/Purchasing system applications (i.e. CAS, MMS, PMJOBS).

• 2 year(s) experience in Finance - Solid understanding of business basics, including financial concepts, terms, accounting. Capable of conducting financial analysis with some statistical modeling preferred.

• 2 year(s) experience in the Law Department - Strong understanding of basic law, including interpreting general purchasing terms and conditions.

• 2 year(s) experience in lean manufacturing - Solid knowledge and understanding of Lean principles and concepts. Continuous Improvement or Six Sigma experience preferred.

• 2 year(s) experience in supervising - Experience leading and managing complex teams, support staff, managing budgets and providing coaching and development preferred.

• 4 year(s) experience in the Supply Department - 4+ years in a Purchasing leadership capacity focused on developing and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives, project management, problem solving, process and productivity improvements, preferably in a transportation, manufacturing, supply chain, or engineering business.

• 2 year(s) experience in the transportation industry - Railroad or transportation logistics industry experience preferred. Knowledge base sufficient to understand customer core business requirements and system interfaces through which business is conducted.

Country: USA, State: Nebraska, City: Omaha, Company: Union Pacific Railroad.