Strategic Sourcing Manager

Role purpose: Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize supplier performance, reduce total cost of ownership, and ensure reliable supply for assigned categories.

Core responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies aligned to business goals, demand forecasts, and risk management priorities.
Lead end-to-end sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ), competitive bidding, and supplier selection using data-driven evaluation.
Negotiate pricing, contract terms, service levels, and renewal conditions to deliver measurable savings and value.
Manage supplier relationships, performance scorecards, and continuous improvement plans; resolve escalations as needed.
Partner with stakeholders (Operations, Finance, Legal, Engineering, Quality) to define requirements and ensure compliance.
Identify and mitigate supply, financial, and geopolitical risks; implement dual-sourcing and contingency plans where appropriate.
Maintain contract governance, ensure policy adherence, and support audits and regulatory requirements.
Track KPIs (savings, cost avoidance, on-time delivery, quality, lead time) and report results to leadership.

Required skills and qualifications

Proven experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management.
Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier management capabilities.
Analytical skills with proficiency in spend analysis and sourcing tools (e.g., ERP, e-sourcing platforms, Excel).
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of procurement best practices, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership.

Department

You will join Robeco’s Global Procurement, Third-Party & Facility Management department, a key part of our Operations domain. Our mission is to enhance financial resilience, operational efficiency, and sustainability by managing critical resources, vendor relationships, and workplace services across the organization.

The department consists of four interconnected teams:

· Procurement – Driving cost optimization and proactive contract management with the goal of achieving financial resilience through our vendors.

· Third-Party Management – Ensuring robust risk management, compliance, and governance with the goal of contributing to operational resilience in all engagements with third parties.

· Sustainable Operations – Putting our net-zero ambitions into practice for our offices worldwide, engaging with key vendors to monitor and manage CO₂ emissions consumed via our vendor ecosystem.

· Facility Management – Creating a safe, efficient, and collaborative work environment through high-quality office services and infrastructure management.

Collectively, this department will strengthen financial stability, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency, while supporting the achievement of our net zero ambitions for Robeco’s own operations.

Together, we are transforming into a strategic partner that enables business growth while safeguarding compliance and corporate values. Working with us means collaborating with global stakeholders and external vendors, contributing to initiatives that impact the entire organization, and helping shape how Robeco operates worldwide.

Our culture is professional yet collaborative—we value transparency, celebrate milestones, and encourage continuous improvement. Joining our department offers exposure to diverse projects, opportunities to innovate, and the chance to make a real impact on cost efficiency, risk resilience, and sustainability.

Position & Requirements

As a Strategic Sourcing Manager (Level 7 – advanced), you hold a strategic and high‑impact role within the procurement function. You lead complex and business‑critical sourcing initiatives, develop multi‑year category strategies, and collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational goals, risk mitigation, and sustainability ambitions.

You drive strategic sourcing activities from end to end, including high‑value negotiations, supplier relationship management, market trend analysis, and risk assessments. You act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, shaping decisions with data‑driven insights and enabling them through frameworks, best practices, and strategic guidance.

In this advanced role, you are responsible for elevating procurement maturity by mentoring team members, aligning sourcing strategies to long‑term business objectives, and embedding innovation—including digital tools and AI—into strategic procurement approaches. Your work has a measurable impact on financial performance, operational resilience, and organizational sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership
Develop, own, and execute multi‑year category strategies that deliver long‑term value and support organizational objectives.
Lead complex, high‑value RFx processes and strategic negotiations with significant business impact.
Identify alternative sourcing strategies, challenge business requirements, and mitigate supply, market, or geopolitical risks.

· Stakeholder Partnership & Advisory

Act as a trusted advisor to senior business stakeholders, shaping decisions through insights, frameworks, and strategic guidance.
Facilitate cross‑functional alignment between procurement, finance, legal, operational teams, and senior management.
Enable stakeholders with best‑practice playbooks, advanced templates, and thought leadership.

· Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

Lead relationships with key suppliers, ensuring performance, innovation, and risk management.
Assess supplier risks, negotiate contractual safeguards, and ensure alignment with compliance and governance standards.
Drive supplier evaluations, performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.

· Financial & Risk Management

Own strategic cost‑optimization initiatives, tracking impact against financial KPIs.
Conduct complex analyses, including TCO modelling, risk assessments, and scenario planning.
Align sourcing strategies with sustainability, ESG, and operational resilience goals and requirements.

· Leadership, Enablement & Capability Building

Mentor junior and mid-level team members, building procurement competencies across the function.
Contribute to procurement transformation initiatives by embedding innovation and digital tools.
Drive continuous improvement of sourcing standards, methodologies, and knowledge-sharing practices.

Qualifications and Requirements

We are looking for an advanced-level professional with:

· Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
6–8+ years of experience in sourcing, category management, or strategic procurement.
Demonstrated track record in leading complex, high‑value, and business-critical sourcing projects.
Experience developing and executing multi‑year category strategies.

· Technical Expertise

Deep knowledge of sourcing methodologies, negotiation levers, and supplier relationship management.
Advanced capability in market/industry analysis and TCO modelling.
Strong understanding of procurement governance, risk, compliance, and contract law fundamentals.
Proficient with advanced procurement tools and data systems.

· Skills & Competencies

Excellent communication and influencing skills, including experience working with senior stakeholders.
Ability to challenge business requirements constructively and provide strategic guidance.
Capable of developing frameworks, playbooks, and best practices for the broader team.

· Analytical & Problem-Solving

Advanced analytical skills with ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
Capacity to assess and mitigate supplier, market, operational, and sustainability risks.
Able to drive large-scale savings initiatives and track impact against financial KPIs.

· Innovation & Technology

Embraces innovation, including digital tools and AI, to increase procurement maturity.
Ability to integrate technology into category strategies and sourcing workflows.

· Behavioural Attributes

Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and long-term orientation.
Proven ability to mentor, coach, and uplift the capabilities of others.
Comfortable with ambiguity, complexity, and high-impact decision-making.

All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. An assessment and integrity test may be used in the selection procedure.

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Strategic Sourcing Manager

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