Strategic Sourcing Manager

LAPP is a family-owned company headquartered in Stuttgart and a global leader in cable and connection technology. Founded in 1959, we are still fully family-owned today. With around 5,800 employees, we are operating in over 80 countries – globally connected and regionally rooted. Working at LAPP means more: this is where inventive spirit and a hands-on mentality meet cherished values and tradition. We offer all employees the freedom to develop and pursue new opportunities. Flexibility and personal responsibility are just as important to us as a family-friendly work environment. We value all our colleagues with their talents, ideas and perspectives.

Summary: Under the general direction of the Procurement Director and in conjunction with their current responsibilities they will be responsible for developing, creating, and managing the sourcing process and vendor base to optimize delivery performance, cost management and efficiency to LAPP NA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities – include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for the complete Cable supply base management cycle while securing cost, quality, delivery, innovation, sustainability, and risks performances, including raw material procurement.

• Responsible for Indirect/MRO and Facilities related Procurement projects as assigned. 

• Anticipate, collect, and formalize the business requirements with various internal stakeholders

• Assess the cable market to determine the best options and sources of supply for LAPP

• Lead RFPs, negotiation, supplier selection in close collaboration with stakeholders to meet their business needs 

• Lead contract negotiation, approval, and signature for large-scale, enterprise-wide agreements, in alignment with LAPP Group and legal requirements and policies

• Demonstrates project management expertise with the ability to carry strategic sourcing projects from strategic planning through implementation

• Category management and Supplier relationship management 

• Supplier cost analysis, benchmarking and price improvement in a manufacturing environment

• Analyze and optimize a portfolio of professional services to continuously optimize cost and operational efficiencies for LAPP USA

• Proactively manage the supplier panel, evaluate performance, risk and innovation, in alignment with the category strategy 

• Prepare and lead Quarterly Business Reviews with strategic suppliers 

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, and a positive attitude.  

• Ability to communicate and collaborate with other departments within the organization to achieve stated objectives regarding revenue, profitability, and market share.

• Must possess excellent organizational skills and can prioritize and manage multiple projects.

• Looking for ways to improve and promote quality applies feedback to performance.

• Must be a self-starter and possess the ability to work independently and use time efficiently. 

• Upholds organizational values, adheres to company policies & procedures and maintains a professional appearance.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum of 5-10 years' work experience in category/commodity management, preferably in Cables & Harnesses and in complex organizations

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Business Management or related field from regionally accredited University.

• 2 – 4 years of experience in Sourcing/Purchasing, Materials management and/or Production Planning

• APICS certificate, preferred.

• SAP Proficient.

• Proficient in excel with high level of skill and capability and the ability to work independently and effectively 

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

• Possession of excellent mathematical skills as well as the ability to organize, plan, forecast and budget accurately. 

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: APICS Certification

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

COMPUTER SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet-based software; SAP; and Microsoft Office applications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.

Work Location: This position is located in New Jersey and reports to the Florham Park, NJ office. Incumbents of this position are required to work a hybrid schedule (3x per week in the office- Tues mandatory +2).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

COMPENSATION: After thorough market analysis, LAPP takes many factors into consideration when determining base salary such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, etc. of the candidate. The base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $130,000 plus participation in LAPP's bonus plan. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Vision, Dental, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, 401(k), HSA/FSA, Life Insurance, and more!

*LAPP is an Equal Opportunity Employer*