Supplier Manager

at W.W. Grainger, Inc. in Lake Forest, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Work Location Type:Hybrid

As a leading industrial distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom, We Keep The World Working by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. With 2023 sales of $16.5 billion, we're dedicated to providing value for customers, fostering an engaging culture for team members and driving strong financial results.

Our welcoming workplace enables you to learn, grow and make a difference by keeping businesses running and their people safe. As a 2024 Glassdoor Best Place to Work and a Great Place to Work-Certified company, we're looking for passionate people to join our team as we continue leading the industry over our next 100 years.

Position Details:
The Supplier Manager owns the relationship with important suppliers across multiple product categories in the Grainger portfolio which range from $50-200M in annual cost. It requires product cost negotiation, develop strategic initiatives in partnership with suppliers, facilitate the communication with other teams like Merchandising, Sales, and Supply Chain, and document and share best practices for the rest of the Supplier Management team.

You will report to a Senior Supplier Manager or Director of Supplier Management.
You Will:
Develop a portfolio procurement strategy that connects Grainger's commercial strategy with the corresponding procurement support
Perform industry research to understand the supplier landscape, important cost drivers, and primary procurement challenges
Define best sources of supply for the business that meet customer needs, quality, and cost competitiveness
Lead negotiations that ensure sustainable access to the best industrial products in the category with the best program economics
Develop relationships with strategic suppliers at multiple levels, ensuring alignment in growth strategies, addressing challenges in operations on a timely manner, and making sure Grainger's customers' needs are met
Develop strategies in collaboration with other functional areas of Grainger (e.g., product assortment decisions, inventory levels and product availability, lead times, and quality)
Organize work meetings and field visits to suppliers and trade shows
Facilitate product content and information gathering in partnership with the teams that support Grainger.com
Collaborate with peers to document and share best practices across all categories and continuously improve how we work
Competencies:
Analytical mindset, being able leverage large sets of data, analyze them, and obtain insights to inform decisions
Project management and organization
Curious and open to learn and navigate ambiguous scenarios
Constant improvement and best practices mindsetYou Have:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience managing cost negotiation, managing contracts and/or executing procurement
5+ years business experience in either Product Management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or ConsultingRewards and Benefits:
With benefits starting day one, Grainger is committed to your safety, health and wellbeing. Our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet our team members' individual needs. Check out some of the rewards available to you at Grainger
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
Paid time off (PTO) and 6 company holidays per year
Automatic 6% 401(k) company contribution each pay period
Employee discounts, parental leave, 3:1 match on donations and tuition reimbursement
A comprehensive set of emotional, financial, physical and social wellbeing programs

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one's employment. With this in mind, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.

Grainger is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.