Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Vanguard; Scottsdale (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to support the Banking & Investment Services category. You will develop and execute sourcing strategies, lead supplier negotiations, and drive measurable cost optimization across the procurement lifecycle.

In this role, you will partner with business stakeholders, legal, risk, finance, and IT to translate requirements into effective sourcing plans, analyze market data, and deliver value while ensuring compliance with internal policies and risk

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic sourcing, contract management, or related experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience leading competitive sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ).
• Experience reviewing or negotiating supplier contracts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for medium-complexity strategic sourcing transactions and supplier selection.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ) with cross-functional teams.
• Analyze supplier proposals and market data to drive value.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, SLAs, and contracts to achieve cost savings.
• Support contract lifecycle activities including renewals and amendments.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into sourcing strategies.
• Provide supplier market insights to inform decisions.
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with policies and risk requirements.
• Work on multiple initiatives with timelines and deliverables.
• Participate in special projects as assigned.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract management

Negotiation

Stakeholder collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

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.