Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Vanguard; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking a Strategic Sourcing professional to support the Banking & Investment Services category. The role focuses on developing sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and driving measurable value across the procurement lifecycle.

The specialist partners with legal, risk, finance, and IT to translate requirements into sourcing outcomes, leveraging market intelligence to influence decisions and strengthen supplier relationships across the organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, contract management, or a related business function.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience supporting or leading competitive sourcing events (RFI, RFP, RFQ) and supplier evaluations.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating, or administering supplier contracts and commercial terms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, pricing models, and business requirements.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME in managing medium complexity strategic sourcing transactions, negotiations, and supplier selection.
• Lead end-to-end competitive sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ) when required.
• Analyze supplier proposals and market data to drive fact-based sourcing decisions.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, service levels, and contracts to deliver cost savings.
• Support contract lifecycle activities including drafting, redlining, and renewals.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to translate requirements into sourcing strategies.
• Provide insights on supplier capabilities and market trends to stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment and transparent decision-making.
• Conduct supplier, spend, and market analysis to identify opportunities.
• Identify and implement cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives with timelines and deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and risk management.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Vanguard’s Enterprise Supply Management (ESM) department is a centralized procurement organization responsible for managing the enterprise-wide, end-to-end purchasing experience. ESM helps uphold Vanguard’s mission by enabling the company to maximize its third-party supplier relationships through sourcing strategies, performance, and risk management activities, as well as providing accurate and timely payments to our suppliers.

Vanguard is seeking a Strategic Sourcing professional to support the Banking & Investment Services (BISi) category and drive value throughout the procurement lifecycle. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and delivering measurable business outcomes through cost optimization, operational efficiencies, risk mitigation, and enhanced supplier performances. This role partners closely with business stakeholders, legal, risk, finance, and technology teams to lead the company's procurement initiatives. As a trusted advisor, the Strategic Sourcing Specialist leverages market intelligence, category expertise, and supplier insights to influence decision-making, optimize procurement outcomes, and strengthen stakeholder and supplier relationships across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a subject matter expert in managing medium complexity strategic sourcing transactions, negotiations, and supplier selection for products and services. Manage relationships with suppliers within category. Executes category strategy to drive maximum value.
• When required, lead end-to-end competitive sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ), including development of materials, supplier engagement, and cross-functional evaluation processes
• Analyze supplier proposals and market data to drive fact-based sourcing decisions and value optimization
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, service levels, and contracts to deliver cost savings and favorable business outcomes
• Support contract lifecycle activities, including contract drafting, redlining, and execution of renewals, amendments, or new projects.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (business teams, finance, IT, legal, risk) to translate requirements into sourcing strategies and aligned outcomes
• Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing insights on supplier capabilities, market trends, and sourcing approaches
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment throughout sourcing initiatives, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making
• Conduct supplier, spend, and market analysis to identify sourcing opportunities and recommendations
• Identify and implement opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and supplier consolidation
• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations are met
• Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with internal procurement policies, governance standards, and risk management requirements
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 5 years or more of experience in strategic sourcing, contract management, or a related business function.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience supporting or leading competitive sourcing events (RFI, RFP, RFQ) and supplier evaluations.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating, or administering supplier contracts and commercial terms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, pricing models, and business requirements.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, communicate effectively with stakeholders at multiple levels of the organization, and navigate cross-functional decision-making processes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.