VP of Procurement

First Student; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student is seeking an accomplished North America procurement leader to drive strategic initiatives across three operating companies with over $2B in annual spend. The role partners with Presidents and CFOs to align procurement with business goals and growth strategies.

Responsibilities include shaping supplier strategies, leading large-scale sourcing, and developing metrics to improve cost, delivery, and quality. Travel 10–20% is expected.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in procurement/purchasing leadership and management.
• Proven track record leading sourcing across multiple operating companies.
• Expert knowledge of policies, procedures and systems for large-scale procurement.
• Strategic ability to develop high-impact sourcing strategies.
• Excellent oral and written communication, including public speaking.
• Flexible self-starter; adaptable to changing priorities.
• 10–20% travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operating company Presidents and CFOs in establishing strategic procurement initiatives that support the respective North America business entities goals and objectives.
• Establishing and executing Procurement strategies that support operating company expense control initiatives as well as supporting business growth within the company.
• Develop/Maintain supplier relationships and strategies leading to a world-class supply chain (cost, delivery and quality).
• Lead/Administer all aspects of procurement, supplier development, sourcing, collaboration, management, and execution of strategies within the department.
• Set supply chain metrics, goals and rewards to properly lead the procurement organization in executing strategic plans.
• Ensuring the Procurement Team is supportive of all key stakeholder requirements in providing exemplary customer service.
• Plans and directs all aspects of the system's supply chain policies, objectives, and initiatives.
• Responsible for achieving supply and service cost avoidance, containment and reduction objectives.
• Performs other duties as requested, in support of the North America operating companies.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Supply chain knowledge

Job description

The individual will be responsible for, but not limited to, leading all facets of the North America Operations procurement requirements spanning 3 operating companies and $2B+ in expenditures annually.

Major Responsibilities

• Partner with operating company Presidents and CFO’s in establishing strategic procurement initiatives that support the respective North America business entities goals and objectives.
• Establishing and executing Procurement strategies that support operating company expense control initiatives as well as supporting business growth within the company.
• Develop/Maintain supplier relationships and strategies leading to a world-class supply chain (cost, delivery and quality).
• Lead/Administer all aspects of procurement, supplier development, sourcing, collaboration, management, and execution of strategies within the department.
• Set supply chain metrics, goals and rewards to properly lead the procurement organization in executing strategic plans.
• Ensuring the Procurement Team is supportive of all key stakeholder requirements (other Shared Service organizations, Operations, suppliers, etc.) in providing exemplary customer service.
• Plans and directs all aspects of the system's supply chain policies, objectives, and initiatives.
• Responsible for achieving supply and service cost avoidance, containment and reduction objectives.
• Performs other duties as requested, in support of the North America operating companies.

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• 10+ Years of Procurement / Purchasing Leadership and Management experience, preferably within the transportation industry.
• Proven track record of effectively leading sourcing and procurement organizational activities in support of multiple operating companies yielding tangible business results.
• Experienced procurement professional with strong knowledge and expertise in multiple commodity sourcing facets with expert knowledge of policies, procedures and systems in leading a large scale procurement organization.
• Strategic ability to develop high impact sourcing strategies. Exhibits thought leadership.
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written including public speaking and presentations.
• Flexible self-starter willing to adjust to an environment with ever-changing priorities.
• In depth knowledge of key supply chain / logistics processes & current best practices.
• Strong leadership abilities both from a Procurement and Program Management perspective to ensure department and company success on varied responsibilities.
• Expectation of 10-20% travel both domestically and internationally (as required).