JOB SUMMARY:

As a Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will own enterprise-wide sourcing responsibilities across assigned categories, working closely with your director, cross-functional stakeholders, and supplier partners to deliver measurable value for Northgate. You will run structured sourcing events, develop supplier relationships, analyze spend and market data, and help build the procurement capability that supports Northgate's long-term growth.

This is a foundational role in a function that is growing and evolving. You will have the opportunity to make a real impact, contributing not only to cost savings, but to the quality, availability, and sourcing integrity of the products our customers depend on every day.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sourcing Execution
• Source and evaluate new domestic and international suppliers to build a reliable, cost-effective vendor base aligned to Northgate's AMFE strategy
• Support end-to-end RFx processes for assigned categories, including RFx development, supplier outreach coordination, and bid compilation under director guidance.
• Manage supplier communications during active sourcing events in alignment with established procurement protocols.
• Evaluate bids on total landed cost, including freight, duties, tariffs, and currency, not unit price alone.
• Along with stakeholders, negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and any additional levers to maximize value and minimize risk
• Assist with supplier selection analysis; prepare documentation and rationale to support director recommendations.
• Execute assigned sourcing workstreams by category priority as directed.

Spend & Market Analysis
• Build and maintain spend reports for assigned categories; identify trends, anomalies, and sourcing opportunities with director guidance.
• Conduct market research to support understanding of pricing dynamics, supplier landscape, and commodity movements.
• Support total cost of ownership (TCO) data gathering and model inputs; assist with basic cost comparisons under director direction.

Supplier Relationship Management
• Support day-to-day supplier communications for assigned categories, maintaining professionalism and clear documentation.
• Assist with supplier onboarding coordination in partnership with compliance, QA, and logistics prior to first shipment.
• Track supplier performance against agreed cost, quality, delivery commitments, and/or other Key Performing Indicators (KPIs) outlined in the contract/agreement; escalate issues to director.
• Partner with sales teams to help facilitate business reviews with key suppliers
• Review contract documents and flag commercial or legal terms to the director for review
• Parter with Legal team to conduct any contract reviews before agreements are executed
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers by identifying cost-saving opportunities, process efficiencies, and innovation ideas that enhance overall supply chain performance.

Stakeholder Partnership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Build effective working relationships with Category Managers, Replenishment, Operations, and other business stakeholders.
• Capture business requirements, specifications, and evaluation criteria from stakeholders before initiating supplier outreach.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and contribute to the enterprise category collaboration model.
• Communicate sourcing updates, timelines, and next steps clearly to internal partners.

Process & Documentation
• Follow established sourcing processes and procurement standards consistently.
• Maintain centralized sourcing records for all decisions, communications, and approvals.
• Flag process inefficiencies to the director; contribute ideas for continuous improvement.
• Support the development of sourcing playbooks and process documentation as the function matures.
• Collaborate with the Replenishment team to align sourcing activities with inventory planning needs, helping to close process gaps and improve end-to-end supply chain efficiency.

Perform other duties as assigned based on business need.

Competency Highlight

Drives Results

Executes assigned sourcing workstreams with focus and follow-through, contributing to measurable outcomes, cost savings, process discipline, and supplier accountability, for Northgate and the communities we serve.

Collaborates

Partners effectively across functions, with Category Managers, Replenishment, Operations, and Compliance to gather requirements and execute sourcing with shared accountability.

Communicates Effectively

Conveys sourcing information clearly to both internal stakeholders and supplier partners, adapting communication style and detail level to the audience.

Manages Ambiguity

Contributes effectively in a growing, evolving function where processes are still being built. Maintains focus and momentum even when full information is not yet available.

Being Resilient

Navigates supplier coordination, cross-functional dynamics, and mid-process adjustments with composure and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Business Insights

Applies knowledge of business and marketplace dynamics, including spend data, market research, and cost information, to develop grounded, fact-based sourcing recommendations that advance organizational goals.

Education/Experience/Skills

Required Education
• Associate's degree (AA/AS) required in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) preferred.

Required Experience
• 2-4 years of progressive experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or a related field; or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Experience participating in or supporting supplier negotiations or competitive bid processes.
• Experience working cross-functionally in a retail, grocery, or consumer products environment preferred.
• Familiarity with fresh, center store, or indirect categories a plus.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g. Oracle) is a plus

Required Skills & Capabilities
• Sourcing & Procurement: Foundational knowledge of RFx processes, spend analysis, and supplier evaluation.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in Excel or comparable tools for spend reporting, bid compilation, and cost comparison.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable coordinating with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Organization: Ability to manage multiple tasks and workstreams simultaneously with attention to detail and process discipline.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred; ability to communicate professionally in both languages is a plus given Northgate's customer and supplier base.
• Exceptional vendor negotiation and conflict resolution abilities

Pay Range: $106,571K - $138,542K

Physical Demands and Conditions
• The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Some requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; and use the hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• The employee must frequently walk, talk or hear, and reach with the hands and arms; occasionally, the employee must crouch or kneel;
• The employee must occasionally exert or lift to 15 pounds carrying boxes of records and forms and frequently exert or lift moderate amounts of weight;
• Successful performance requires specific vision abilities that include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The job requires the ability to travel.
• The work environment is that typical of an office and retail store. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE

The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.