BASIC FUNCTION Position is responsible for negotiating supply and purchase agreements supporting the Wellness Products business. Accountable for all supplier selection decisions within category and for coordinating with various purchasing subject matter experts within the larger organization to select the best possible partners for projects. Prepares and evaluates supplier quotations and services to determine most competitive solution based upon a total cost of ownership. Familiar with a variety of purchasing concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Responsible for setting performance objectives and strategy within category. Conducts multi-functional supplier performance management reviews. More about the Wellness Products business: The newly created Wellness Products business has been charged with becoming the premier Mind & Body Wellness provider for at home and professional spa sanctuaries. The objective of this business is to not only grow an already wellness-centric product portfolio, but also create a clearly differentiated go to market strategy with a tailored angle to captivate the target audience with unforgettable showroom and digital destinations. Applicants must be passionate about wellness and having expertise in the ever-growing market is a plus! Given the start-up nature of this business, applicants must possess a bias for action, an ability to continually assess with openness to pivoting as the market dynamic changes and must be team-oriented with a willingness to dive in and support with whatever is needed. Prior start up experience is preferred. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Manage the design and implementation of category strategies to attain year over year material cost reduction and material quality/delivery improvements using appropriate supply chain tools. 2. Lead the strategic sourcing process of team formation, research, evaluation, and structure. To include RFQ development, quotation reviews, supplier/contract negotiations and supplier development. Lead sourcing meetings with other areas of Purchasing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing etc. to reach consensus on sourcing strategy. 3. Works closely with Project Engineer – Innovation & Technology, Wellness Products to prospect for sourcing leads and potential partners aligned to technology enablers for the 5-year product pipeline for Wellness Products. 4. Acts as the Purchasing Project Lead for Wellness Products NPD to coordinate sourcing decisions across various areas of Purchasing. Viewed as the Purchasing lead for Wellness Products NPD Teams and the single point of contact for the teams. 5. Own the supplier relationship for key suppliers associated with the Wellness Products business while leading negotiations with suppliers to deliver stated objectives. 6. Maintain a working knowledge of world-class supply chain processes to ensure that existing processes are targeted to attain excellence versus industry benchmarks. Lead best cost country sourcing for the appropriate sub-categories for year-over-year net cost reductions. Lead the supply base in implementation of eCommerce tools to automate transactions, bring flexibility and transparency to the supply chain. 7. Work closely with strategic and preferred suppliers to identify and resource productivity/cost down initiatives using VA/VE tools where appropriate. 8. Work with Supplier Quality and Engineering to develop new suppliers as required. Drive leading edge procurement by working closely with the supply base and the material planning group to actively integrate the suppliers into Wellness fulfillment and distribution. 9. Liases with the Indirect Purchasing Team, as needed, to drive completion of critical contract deliverables. 10. Understanding of and experience with doing business in globally including east Asian and Low-Cost Country sources. Leverage Kohler’s global supply chain to bring the best products and services to the Wellness category. 11. Understand Legal Interpretation of contract T&Cs and proficient in working with Domestic & International Law. Involved in the Acquisition and/or re-sale of Intellectual Property. Understanding potential differing needs between Internal & External customers. Consistently exceed customer expectations by dealing with internal complexities across multi or global organizations in a manner invisible to customers. 12. Ability to construct and manage complex, sophisticated commercial arrangements; Capable of creating pre-negotiation strategy including company BATNA. Experienced in negotiating/managing point-to-point purchase agreements. 13. Ability to construct value stream (profit margin) industry maps, utilize advanced financial techniques (commodity hedging), and build market comparable cost analysis. Skilled in multi-tier supply chain analysis. Ability to create spend category strategy with the understanding of interdependences, risks, and impact of strategy by business unit. Able to develop & implement contingency planning processes. 14. Proficient in managing/leading multi-location/global projects with expanded domestic awareness of culture, currency, geography, political and limited international exposure. Experience utilizing freight forwarding/customs clearance services. General understanding of computer network technology & B2B applications. Demonstrated methods for streamlined supplier connectivity. 15. Provides solution/alternatives to improvement ideas. Takes initiative to undertake improvement opportunities that are global in scope and complexity, setting strategies for process improvements that impact the work product of the department. Drives one company one process initiatives. Skilled in implementing continuous improvement opportunities within the supply base. 16. Communicates vision and goals of the Wellness Products business, creating atmosphere of open communication. Actively supports change opportunities to maximize personal, departmental and/or company performance. Influences relationships, proficient in market research and capable of reacting to the speed of the industry. Recognizes and capitalizes on team dynamics, seeking out both internal and external opportunities for a team environment. Identifies critical relationship building opportunities. RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS Organization Relationships: 1. Reports to the Assoc Director – Purchasing, Pkg, Metal & Glass 2. Dotted line reports to the Supply Chain & Operations Manager – Wellness Products Internal Business Relationships 1. Daily contact with Wellness Products Business Team 2. Regular contact Operations, K&B Purchasing, KBNA Supply Chain and Enterprise level functions (IT, Legal) 3. As needed contact with Lux Brands Supply Chain peers External Business Relationships: 1. Frequent contact with suppliers and in creating strategic partnerships 2. As needed contact with Customer’s Senior Leadership and Supply Chain counterparts EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business or Engineering. 10 years of professional experience and 7 years purchasing experience desired.
