Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Columbia Sportswear; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist for our hybrid role at the Portland-area HQ. You will execute end-to-end sourcing events for indirect spend, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate with category, contract, and business stakeholders to deliver value and cost savings.

You will partner with category teams, ensure policy compliance, and support procurement excellence while traveling up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Legal Studies, or related field.
• 2–4 years in procurement, sourcing or similar supply chain roles with strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
• Strong understanding of sourcing processes and procurement best practices; excellent negotiation and supplier management skills; ability to manage multiple sourcing projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills; analytical and problem-solving capabilities; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and procurement systems.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Execute sourcing events for indirect goods and services, including RFP creation, supplier evaluation, and negotiations.
• Partner with category management teams to ensure sourcing activities support category strategies and deliver value to the business.
• Collaborate with the contract management team to facilitate timely and accurate contract execution, including intake and review processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key business stakeholders across departments; provide clear and consistent communication on projects, status and actions.
• Conduct market research and supplier analysis to support sourcing decisions and identify opportunities for cost savings and risk mitigation.
• Support process improvement initiatives within sourcing execution, leveraging technology and best practices to enhance efficiency and compliance.

Skills

Sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Legal Studies, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Procurement systems

Job description

This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for executing sourcing activities within Columbia Sportswear's Indirect Procurement team, focusing on moderate complexity spend and projects not directly managed by category teams. This role manages end-to-end sourcing events, including RFP development, supplier evaluation, and negotiations, ensuring alignment with business objectives and procurement policies. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist partners closely with category management, contract management, and business stakeholders to deliver cost savings, mitigate risk, and support operational excellence.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Execute sourcing events for indirect goods and services, including RFP creation, supplier evaluation, and negotiations, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and alignment with business goals.
• Partner with category management teams to ensure sourcing activities support category strategies and deliver value to the business.
• Collaborate with the contract management team to facilitate timely and accurate contract execution, including intake and review processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key business stakeholders across departments. Provide clear and consistent communication on projects, status and actions.
• Conduct market research and supplier analysis to support sourcing decisions and identify opportunities for cost savings and risk mitigation.
• Support process improvement initiatives within sourcing execution, leveraging technology and best practices to enhance efficiency and compliance.

YOU HAVE

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Legal Studies, or a related field (preferred).
• 2-4 years relevant experience in procurement, sourcing or similar supply chain roles, with experience in strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
• Strong understanding of sourcing processes and procurement best practices - Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills - Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills - Analytical and problem-solving capabilities - Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with procurement systems
• Ability to travel up to 10%

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter. At Columbia Sportswear Company, we're proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family's financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available. If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [e-mail] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.