Strategic Supplier Manager

Grainger; Lake Forest (IL); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PTO 18 days

401k match

Employee discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Maternity/paternity leave

Job summary

Grainger in Illinois is seeking an Associate Supplier Manager to oversee a portfolio of suppliers, negotiate terms, and ensure cost, quality, and supply continuity. The role reports to the Senior Manager, Supplier Management and is hybrid, based in Lake Forest or Chicago three days a week.

You will collaborate with merchandising, inventory, transportation, and supplier performance teams to optimize product availability and drive procurement strategies aligned with Grainger's business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree BS/BA or equivalent required.
• 3+ years experience in related field.
• Experience translating strategic goals into actionable tactics using analytics.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives.
• Experience adopting to new processes, applying industry trends, understanding product specifications, and implementing operational workflows.

Responsibilities

• Support development of procurement strategies aligned with Grainger's goals and product needs.
• Translate analytics into strategies and assist with industry research to learn supplier landscapes, cost drivers, and procurement challenges.
• Identify potential sources of supply that meet customer needs, quality standards, availability and cost targets.
• Manage supplier relationships aligned to a portfolio of small to mid-sized suppliers.
• Lead supplier discussions and negotiation efforts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support category strategies, ensure product availability and improve operational efficiencies.
• Organize meetings, supplier visits and trade show participation to support engagement.

Skills

Procurement analytics

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Grainger in Illinois is seeking an Associate Supplier Manager to oversee a portfolio of suppliers, negotiate terms, and ensure cost, quality, and supply continuity. The role reports to the Senior Manager, Supplier Management and is hybrid, based in Lake Forest or Chicago three days a week.

You will collaborate with merchandising, inventory, transportation, and supplier performance teams to optimize product availability and drive procurement strategies aligned with Grainger's business goals.