Program Lead Cost & Strategy

Job Description:


Works closely with:
" Procurement Insight Consultant (opportunity identification)
" Category Managers / Sourcing Leads (execution)
" Finance / Stakeholders (validation & tracking)

Key Duties:
" Opportunity Execution & Value Delivery
" Own the end-to-end orchestration of priority cost-saving initiatives
" Translate identified opportunities into structured execution plans
" Ensure initiatives are clearly scoped, measurable, and time-bound
" Track and drive value realization against targets
" Project Management & Governance
" Apply strong project management discipline across initiatives:
o Timelines, milestones, dependencies, risk tracking
" Establish and maintain governance routines (cadence, reporting, escalation)
" Proactively remove blockers and ensure forward momentum
" Rigor & Performance Management
" Introduce standardized frameworks, tools, and templates for execution
" Challenge assumptions and strengthen the quality of opportunity cases
" Ensure alignment between procurement, finance, and business stakeholders
" Act as a "performance accelerator across key initiatives
" Negotiation Strategy Support
" Provide expert input into negotiation strategies and tactics
" Coach and support sourcing teams in approach, preparation, and positioning
" Strengthen negotiation outcomes without acting as the lead negotiator
" Stakeholder Alignment & Enablement
" Prepare execution teams with the clarity, tools, and structure needed to deliver
" Drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
" Communicate progress, risks, and outcomes effectively to leadership
" Strategy & Transformation Support
" Contribute to the Procurement strategic development, deployment, and execution process.
" Globally collaborate with our TRATON brand partners in the TRATON Procurement Transformation space to support transformation initiatives (helping represent International).

This is a highly visible, challenging, and rewarding position in a supportive, fast-paced environment.

Key Capabilities & Experience

Core Skills
" Strong procurement / sourcing experience (category or strategic sourcing background preferred)
" Advanced project management skills (formal or practical experience)
" Proven ability to drive execution and deliver measurable results
" Excellent analytical thinking and attention to detail

Specialized Strengths
" Deep understanding of cost drivers and value levers in procurement
" Strong negotiation expertise (strategy and coaching, not execution ownership)
" Ability to add structure and rigor to ambiguous or loosely defined opportunities
" Skilled in performance tracking, KPI management, and governance

Ways of Working
" Structured, disciplined, and outcome-oriented
" Comfortable operating across teams without direct authority
" Able to challenge constructively and elevate performance
" Strong communicator with executive-level clarity


Minimum Requirements:
" Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience
" At least 1 year of lead experience
OR
" Master's degree and at least 3 years of purchasing/procurement experience
" At least 1 year of lead experience
OR
" At least 8 years of purchasing/procurement experience
" At least 1 year of lead experience


Desired Skills:
" Technical & Analytical Skills: Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret large, complex datasets. Experience working with spend or financial data.
" Discipline & rigor: Ability to bring discipline and rigor to loosely defined opportunities.
" Negotiation: Strong experience in complex negotiation (preparation & execution).
" Powerpoint / Presentation: Ability to build and deliver information to all levels of the organization whether leading or supporting a specific opportunity.
" Collaboration & Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights. Ability to present findings to non-technical stakeholders in a compelling way.
" Positive Attitude & Work Ethic: Demonstrates a positive, accountable, results-oriented mindset.
" Prioritization & Problem Solving: Ability to multi-task, prioritize, anticipate issues, and adjust resources as needed.
" Learning Agility: Quickly learns new concepts, processes, and tools.