Associate Sourcing Manager - Warrington: A Strategic Career Opportunity

This Associate Sourcing Manager position in Warrington presents a compelling opportunity for driven professionals looking to make a significant impact within a global procurement organization. Focused on supporting the development and implementation of client-specific sourcing strategies, this role is ideal for individuals seeking to grow their expertise in strategic sourcing, cost reduction, and client satisfaction.

Key Advantages for Aspiring Sourcing Professionals:

• Strategic Impact: You will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing global company strategies. Your work will directly influence client satisfaction, growth, and retention by identifying, managing, and reporting on strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Cost Reduction Focus: A core element of this role involves managing the pre-sourcing of repeat items through an e-RFQ process. This offers a hands-on approach to driving cost reductions and achieving strategic sourcing objectives.
• Client Engagement: The position requires you to develop proposal documents and reports for clients, fostering strong communication and stakeholder management skills. You'll gain invaluable experience in presenting cost reduction initiatives and securing client approvals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will have the opportunity to work closely with Buying departments, Category Managers, and Suppliers, as well as client teams. This exposure will broaden your understanding of the procurement ecosystem and enhance your ability to influence without authority in a global environment.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Supporting the Sourcing Manager with data collation and reporting for sourcing strategy development, including spend profiles and savings performance, will sharpen your analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Professional Development: The role encourages a proactive approach to learning and offers exposure to various procurement methodologies like MRP and JIT, as well as quality assurance practices.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Educational Foundation: A minimum of three years of university study in Economics, Business, Science, Logistics, or a related field is required. A Master's degree is preferred, indicating a leaning towards candidates with advanced academic credentials.
• Experience in MRO Sourcing: While not strictly mandatory, a minimum of three years of experience in sourcing MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operating) related materials or relevant categories is highly recommended. This suggests that prior exposure to indirect procurement will be a significant advantage.
• Technical Aptitude: A technical background and familiarity with MRO materials are beneficial, enabling you to better understand the products and services you will be sourcing.
• System Proficiency: Strong computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel and PowerPoint), is essential. The ability to learn and work with MS Project is also a plus, highlighting the need for project management tools proficiency.
• Self-Motivation and Autonomy: The description emphasizes the need to be self-motivated and able to work with minimal day-to-day supervision. This role is suited for individuals who can take initiative and manage their workload effectively.
• Strategic and Analytical Mindset: Success in this role hinges on strategic thinking, strong data analysis, problem-solving skills, and the ability to understand complex vendor and client contracts.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are crucial for effective collaboration within cross-functional and global teams, as well as for client interactions.
• Financial Acumen: A strong understanding of financial principles and the ability to apply them to sourcing decisions will be highly valued.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English (written and spoken) is a requirement. While not explicitly stated as mandatory for this role, the mention of "another language might be required based on local business needs" suggests that multilingual candidates may have an edge depending on the specific client portfolio.

This Associate Sourcing Manager position offers a clear pathway for career advancement within the integrated supply solutions sector. By contributing to critical sourcing strategies and client success, you will gain valuable experience and develop a robust skill set that will serve you well throughout your procurement career. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for driving cost savings and fostering strong client relationships, this opportunity in Warrington is certainly worth exploring.