Job Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Manager identifies, evaluates, and onboards subcontractors and suppliers to support business growth. With a focus on market trends, networking, and innovation, this role strengthens the company's subcontractor and supplier network and helps the organization remain agile in an evolving marketplace.This position builds collaborative partnerships and brings strategic insight to sourcing decisions. The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing complex subcontractor or supplier relationships, processes, controls, and analytics. Telecommunications experience is preferred but not required.
This position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, onboarding, and managing subcontractor partnerships. The role may also be referred to as a Subcontractor Sourcing Manager, reflecting its focus on subcontractor recruitment, qualification, and workforce planning.
This is a 100% onsite position in Northville, Michigan.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day direction and coordination to administrative support staff supporting subcontractor onboarding, orientation, and related activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Source and evaluate prospective subcontractors based on business and operational needs.
- Coordinate internal and external subcontractor prequalification and vetting requirements.
- Manage subcontractor onboarding and conduct weekly subcontractor orientation sessions.
- Maintain a comprehensive and accurate subcontractor database, including qualification, onboarding, compliance, performance, and other key information.
- Document and communicate subcontractor processes and requirements to ensure consistent execution across internal teams and subcontractors.
- Maintain regular communication with subcontractors regarding onboarding, compliance, performance, and company requirements, including managing outreach campaigns as needed.
- Lead regular subcontractor meetings to communicate expectations, review performance, and address business or operational needs.
- Track subcontractor performance and support ongoing evaluations in partnership with operations and support teams.
- Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and terms as needed, and coordinate with Legal and internal stakeholders to support contract development and execution.
- Support estimating and pricing teams by developing target subcontractor pricing using market research, historical data, and industry knowledge.
- Stay informed of market trends and changes that may affect subcontractor availability, pricing, or sourcing strategies.
- Assist operations teams with drafting formal notices and communications to subcontractors.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Duties
- Develop, implement, and maintain long-term subcontractor sourcing strategies, including market testing and analysis of subcontractor availability, capabilities, and pricing to support business and operational needs.
- Lead the subcontractor prequalification, vetting, selection, and onboarding process.
- Build and maintain a strong subcontractor network, serve as a primary liaison, and ensure ongoing compliance with company requirements.
- Develop, standardize, and continuously improve subcontractor processes, controls, analytics, and reporting, leveraging existing systems to manage sourcing, onboarding, compliance, cost, and performance.
- Analyze market trends, subcontractor data, historical performance, and pricing to support sourcing strategies and business decisions.
- Develop and manage subcontractor scorecards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and performance standards. Partner with operations and support teams to evaluate results, address performance or compliance concerns, and hold subcontractors accountable.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Strong understanding of subcontractor, supplier, procurement, or supply chain management processes.
- Ability to manage complex subcontractor relationships, processes, controls, and performance requirements.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate pricing, market data, KPIs, performance metrics, and trends to support business decisions.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, relationship-building, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities and negotiations in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to influence desired outcomes and build effective relationships with subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
- A self-directed approach, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to learn the company's services, capabilities, and subcontractor requirements.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
- Experience using systems and data to manage supplier or subcontractor processes, controls, performance metrics, and reporting.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
- Five or more years of experience in subcontractor management, supplier management, procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or a similar role required.
- Experience managing complex subcontractor or supplier processes, including sourcing, onboarding, controls, performance management, analytics, and contract coordination.
- Experience with Salesforce or similar customer relationship management (CRM), procurement, or supplier management systems preferred.
- Telecommunications, construction, utilities, or related industry experience preferred but not required.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work at a computer and use standard office equipment for prolonged periods.
- Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and move about the office as needed.
- Ability to effectively exchange information with employees, subcontractors, and other business partners in person, by phone, and through electronic communication.
- Ability to occasionally move or transport materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
- Ability to travel occasionally, up to approximately 5% of the time.
- Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as needed to perform job responsibilities and meet company driving standards and requirements.
Work Environment and Schedule
- This position is based at the company's corporate office in Northville, Michigan, and requires 100% onsite work.
- Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment within a shared workspace or cubicle setting, with regular interaction with colleagues and other internal teams.
- Regular use of computers, phones, and other standard office equipment is required.
- Occasional travel may be required, up to approximately 5% of the time.