Senior Manager - Strategic Sourcing

Freshworks; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshworks is seeking a Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing to lead a team of category managers within our transforming procurement organization. You will combine strong leadership with hands-on sourcing to drive critical projects and deliver value.

This working manager role requires negotiating and executing purchasing deals, mentoring talent, and partnering with stakeholders to achieve savings and risk mitigation. California market context is implicit.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in procurement or sourcing.
• 2+ years in a supervisory role.
• Proven track record of managing and developing a team.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor a team of sourcing professionals.
• Foster a high-performing team environment with knowledge sharing.
• Delegate tasks, monitor progress and ensure team SLA goals.
• Identify training needs and facilitate professional growth.
• Contribute to recruitment and onboarding of new team members.
• Guide team with internal procurement processes and stakeholder collaboration.
• Partner with leadership to align sourcing strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Problem solving

Negotiation

Stakeholder mgmt

Sourcing proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Procurement systems

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and driven Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing to lead a team of sourcing category managers within our transforming procurement organization. In this role, you will combine strong leadership skills with hands‑on sourcing expertise. You will be responsible for overseeing a team of sourcing experts while also contributing individually to the execution of critical sourcing projects. The ideal candidate is a highly organized individual with a proven track record in procurement, excellent communication skills, and a passion for developing talent. This is a working manager role, so being able to negotiate and execute purchasing deals will be required.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and mentor a team of sourcing professionals, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback
• Foster a collaborative and high‑performing team environment, promoting teamwork and knowledge sharing
• Delegate tasks effectively, monitor progress, and ensure team members meet performance expectations (Individual Contribution Goals and SLAs)
• Identify training and development needs for team members and facilitate their professional growth
• Contribute to the recruitment and onboarding of new team members.
• Understand internal procurement processes to provide guidance to team and stakeholders.
• Partner and collaborate with stakeholder leadership

Sourcing Execution

• Execute sourcing projects using category‑level strategies and established processes
• Support the creation, review, and negotiation of contracts, ensuring favorable terms and conditions
• Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, service level agreements, and other key commercial and legal terms to maximize savings and achieve defined goals
• Conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential supplier‑related risks
• Execute competitive bids to identify the best‑value suppliers
• Manage supplier relationships, while measuring supplier actual performance against negotiated SLA’s and quality metrics
• Deep understanding of sourcing and supplier management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in procurement or sourcing, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role
• Proven track record of successfully managing and developing a team.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and tools
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional Information

We're committed to building a workplace that reflects the diverse world we serve. At Freshworks, you'll find inclusive teams, flexible thinking, and opportunities to grow your career – while making work better for millions.

Salary and Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $190,000 – $230,000. Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job‑related skills, and level. Bonus/equity may be available.

EEO Statement

At Freshworks, we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion, welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees, communities, and business.