JOB OVERVIEW
Associate Manager, Purchasing develops and implements strategies to support the purchase of various goods and services for use across the Enterprise. Focusing on the acquisition of products that represent high levels of risk and value, the Associate Manager, Purchasing evaluates options/scenarios based on thorough analysis and executes agreements while identifying opportunities to leverage spend. Associate Manager, Purchasing uses their cross-functional knowledge of business and commodity market trends to support the negotiation of agreements with suppliers. This role will also be a central owner of data and reporting for suppliers, risk, SKU’s, and spend ($). The Associate Manager, Purchasing may lead one or more members of a team.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Successfully Develops and Gains Alignment on Purchasing Strategy that Drives the Execution of High-Risk and High-Value Purchasing Agreements

• Identifies and recommends business solutions by leveraging available resources (e.g., knowledge of supplier capabilities, industry benchmarking data); ensures that the identification and selection of suppliers aligns with overarching purchasing strategies
• Develops and gains alignment on long term purchasing strategies for one or more products/services; provides analysis to actively support the negotiation of agreements with suppliers
• Focuses efforts on the acquisition of products and/or services requiring high levels of spend and/or complexity
• Conducts cost formulation and develops component cost break-outs as needed
• Prepares and executes Requests for Information (RFIs) & Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
• Has an expert understanding of purchasing implications and negotiation tactics
• May lead one or more members of a Purchasing Team
• Maintains and leverages partnership with Darden Logistics team (Armada) to ensure holistic decisions reflect the best available outcome given the constraints

Leverages Expert-Level Understanding of Product Categories

• Effectively leverages relationships with suppliers
• Identifies opportunities to leverage spend across suppliers into “bundle” negotiations when possible
• Demonstrates a holistic understanding of product categories/industries, specific and general market trends, and available suppliers;
• Attends Supplier Meetings in order to understand capabilities, conduct business reviews, and monitor supplier financial health
• Leads the review and evaluation of supplier performance with the input of other members of the Purchasing Team through the use of informal (e.g., observation) and formal (e.g., vendor ratings) metrics

Risk Management

• Maintains and updates list of `strategic suppliers to be monitored against critical risk factors
• Collects available data from internal and external sources into management report to be sent quarterly
• Provides support for supplier onboarding to identify any key risk areas prior to entering relationship

Data and Reporting

• Collects and publishes key reports for Purchasing, Supply Management, and Total Quality teams, including:
• Spend,
• SKU’s,
• Suppliers,
• Categories,
• Supplier Tiering
• Utility tracking
• Product Complaints
• Conducts ad hoc analysis as needed for management presentations, including category reviews
• Supports cost savings initiatives with data and comparative analysis
• Maintains strategic partnership with Supply Chain Finance team to ensure continuity in analysis methodology

Leads and Develops the Team

• Establishes and champions a positive, vibrant culture within the work group that is consistent with Darden’s values

Coaches for performance by delivering performance-based and developmental feedback

• Works with employees to establish annual Performance Management Plan (PMP) goals and provides feedback throughout the performance cycle
• Establishes short-term and long-term goals and strategic plans for the team
• Participates in talent review/succession planning and selection processes for positions within the department
• Encourages knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and best-practice sharing among team members
• Assigns and delegates tasks to team members as appropriate

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a relevant field preferred; Masters degree a plus. Individuals should have 6-8 years of relevant experience.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Expert understanding of commodity markets as they relate to purchasing; ability to ensure that others are applying correct commodity market principles
• Considered an expert with purchasing/buying negotiation tactics; able to mentor others
• Well-versed in cost formulation and development of product component cost break-out; ability to guide others to ensure that are using the correct principles to develop cost formulations
• Knowledge of supply management principles, including last-mile distribution, service levels, and inbound logistics
• Understanding of business/business acumen
• Knowledge and familiarity with the use of software/information systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience purchasing one or more categories of products or services
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical ability
• Ability to develop investigative questions in order to develop concepts, theories, or obtain information
• Experience developing relationships to establish credibility amongst decision makers
• Ability to think strategically
• Excellent presentation skills