Strategic Sourcing Leader for High-SKU Distribution

LHH; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH is seeking an experienced Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead a purchasing team and evolve the organization toward strategic sourcing. This hands-on leader will leverage a distribution background, manage a four-person team, and strengthen supplier partnerships to improve product availability and inventory efficiency.

The ideal candidate excels in data-driven decision making, builds strong supplier relationships, negotiates favorable terms, and guides cross-functional initiatives

Qualifications

• 5+ years in purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing.
• Experience leading and developing a purchasing team.
• Distribution experience in a high-SKU environment (~10,000 SKUs).
• Proven success negotiating pricing, terms, lead times, and service.
• Strong inventory replenishment and product availability skills.
• Ability to build supplier relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and lookups.
• Experience using ERP/inventory management systems.
• Willingness to travel for supplier relationship development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of four purchasing professionals.
• Shift from transactional purchasing to strategic sourcing.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and service expectations.
• Improve product availability and fill rates via forecasting and replenishment.
• Manage inventory investment balancing demand with excess stock.
• Establish supplier scorecards and monitor performance.
• Identify alternate suppliers to mitigate risk and shortages.
• Collaborate cross-functionally on new product introductions and transitions.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data and resolve discrepancies.
• Develop KPI reporting using Excel, ERP data, and BI tools.
• Translate data into actionable purchasing improvements.
• Resolve issues across departments and drive solutions.

Skills

5+ years experience

team leadership

distribution high-SKU

supplier negotiation

inventory replenishment

data-driven decisions

Excel (pivot/lookup)

ERP systems

travel for supplier development

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Professional purchasing certification

Tools

Epicor Prophet 21

Job description

LHH is seeking an experienced Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead a purchasing team and evolve the organization toward strategic sourcing. This hands-on leader will leverage a distribution background, manage a four-person team, and strengthen supplier partnerships to improve product availability and inventory efficiency.

The ideal candidate excels in data-driven decision making, builds strong supplier relationships, negotiates favorable terms, and guides cross-functional initiatives