Lead Sourcing Consultant

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Pension eligible

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking a Lead Sourcing Consultant to shape and lead strategic sourcing initiatives across the enterprise. You will partner with business leaders to define strategies, drive cost savings, and elevate supplier performance through data-driven decisions and AI-enabled tooling.

The role demands strong negotiation, cross-functional collaboration, and a proven track record in delivering measurable value through complex sourcing programs.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, or procurement.
• Ability to lead complex sourcing initiatives and align with business priorities.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives aligned to business priorities with stakeholders.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies balancing cost, risk, and value.
• Manage relationships with key business partners and act as a trusted advisor.
• Apply market insights, supplier strategies, and best practices in sourcing.
• Drive cost savings, process improvements, and supplier performance.
• Leverage AI tools to improve efficiency and decision-making in sourcing.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decisions

AI tools

Sourcing fundamentals

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for a Lead Sourcing Consultant who brings strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a drive to deliver meaningful business outcomes.

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for a Lead Sourcing Consultant who brings strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a drive to deliver meaningful business outcomes.

You’ll partner closely with business leaders and internal stakeholders to shape sourcing strategies, lead complex initiatives, and identify opportunities to drive efficiency, innovation, and value.

What You’ll Do

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives aligned to business priorities, partnering with stakeholders to define and deliver results
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support enterprise goals, balancing cost, risk, and value
• Manage relationships with key business partners, serving as a trusted advisor and primary liaison to sourcing
• Apply strong sourcing fundamentals by leveraging market insights, supplier strategies, and best practices
• Drive measurable outcomes, including cost savings, process improvements, and supplier performance
• Leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and optimize sourcing processes
• Lead and support RFPs, supplier selection, and contract negotiations for complex engagements
• Partner with suppliers and stakeholders to define performance expectations, including KPIs and SLAs
• Influence and guide stakeholders through competing priorities and complex decisions
• Identify opportunities to elevate team capabilities, including training, process improvements, and adoption of new tools or practices
• Mentor team members and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement

Who You Are

• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, or procurement
• Strong sourcing fundamentals with the ability to apply best practices across multiple areas
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and connect sourcing activities to business outcomes
• Proven success delivering results through complex negotiations and cross-functional collaboration
• High level of comfort with technology and AI tools, with a mindset toward improving efficiency and processes
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate trade-offs and build compelling business cases
• Skilled at influencing stakeholders and navigating competing priorities
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and make data-driven decisions

What Sets You Apart

• A builder mindset; you’re energized by improving processes and strengthening team capabilities
• Curiosity and adaptability to support a variety of sourcing needs
• Passion for using data, insights, and emerging tools, including AI, to drive better outcomes
• A collaborative approach; you bring others along, challenge thinking, and elevate the work

Why Join Us

At Principal, you’ll be part of a sourcing organization that is evolving, embracing innovation, strengthening capabilities, and delivering real impact across the enterprise. This is an opportunity to shape how we work while growing your own skills and influence.

Salary Range Information

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)

$127000 - $160000 / year

Time Off Program

Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.

Pension Eligible

Yes

Location

This role will be located in our Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC offices and will benefit from a hybrid work arrangement, blending at least three office days in a typical workweek.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.

Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Posting Window

We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.

Original Posting Date

5/19/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

8/10/2026

Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.