Purchasing Lead

Job Type: Direct Hire

Job Summary

Responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company’s strategic sourcing function, including end-to-end sourcing activities for software, services, and products. The company is a growing digital marketing business in the automotive retail space. The role focuses primarily on sourcing for digital marketing and advertising, technology, and general business categories. The Purchasing Lead will continually improve sourcing strategies and related policies to secure high-quality products and services, favorable commercial terms, cost avoidance, and risk mitigation while supporting company growth and business objectives.

The role supports due diligence, contract and supplier management, and supplier operations in collaboration with the Security and Privacy teams, including onsite supplier assessments. This includes reviewing and investigating suppliers’ capabilities, capacity, and historical performance.

The successful candidate will have strong financial analytical skills, particularly in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). They will help assess and explain price drivers and overall costs to business owners, Finance, and the Strategic Sourcing team, and document cost savings achieved through negotiations.

This position involves extensive cross-functional collaboration with the Legal team to finalize contracts and secure favorable terms and conditions. The ideal candidate will lead and present concise sourcing strategies—including supplier recommendations, financial analyses, negotiations, and risks—to VP-level stakeholders and above to support timely decision-making.

This is a hybrid role requiring work in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Essential Functions

• Enhance business functions by providing education and driving program adoption at all levels of the organization.
• Develop and continually analyze program policies and procedures, implement new procedures, and interpret policies for business units engaging the sourcing team, in line with corporate guidelines.
• Improve sourcing strategies and events to support best-in-class decisions, focusing on product or service quality while mitigating contract risks.
• Create benchmarks to measure competitive rates and departmental performance against business objectives; initiate corrective actions when objectives fall short of targets.
• Evaluate market conditions and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Leverage AI-based tools and technologies to improve efficiency, accuracy, and quality of work within the scope of responsibilities.
• Manage assigned indirect-spend categories to deliver annual cost savings, including cost reductions and avoidance, in accordance with company goals.
• Negotiate contracts with selected suppliers to secure favorable commercial terms and conditions.
• Evaluate and recommend suppliers, providing guidance to ensure alignment with business owners and company objectives.
• Use the contract management tool to track and respond to assigned contract matters.
• Lead competitive bid events and make sourcing awards.
• Negotiate and issue contract agreements, including purchase order terms and conditions.
• Track invoices throughout the life of approved purchase orders as needed for the Finance department.
• Review and approve single-source forms for purchases above the assigned threshold.
• Support supplier assessments to help determine the risks of working with new or changing third-party business partners. Assessments include financial and legal reviews, as well as reviews of security, data use, and related issues.
• Develop and improve training content based on current team policies and processes.

Qualifications

We believe diversity is a strength. You are encouraged to apply even if your experience or background does not precisely match the job description. Candidates who do not meet every listed qualification may be considered based on relevant work experience and depth of expertise in job-related skills.

Experience

• 5+ years of strategic sourcing experience involving marketing and IT-related spend, such as advertising, media, market research and analytics, PR, digital, web design, promotional materials, consulting services, staff augmentation, software, and related services.
• 5+ years of contract negotiation experience.
• 4+ years of experience formulating strategies and driving initiatives.
• 4+ years of experience in the digital media, advertising, and marketing industries.
• 4+ years of experience in the information technology industry, particularly in software, consulting, and staff augmentation.
• Experience with ERP systems for purchasing or sourcing applications.
• Experience developing or implementing sourcing methodologies is strongly desired.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Fluency with AI-enabled tools and a working understanding of their appropriate use, limitations, and application to job-related tasks.
• Understanding of contractual terms and conditions and their impact on an organization.
• Ability to build credibility with executive-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in end-to-end sourcing responsibilities and deliverables.
• Experience with contract management systems, ERP systems, and sourcing workflow tools (e.g., Gatekeeper, NetSuite).
• Ability to proactively problem-solve and multitask while maintaining composure and attention to detail.
• A follow-through mindset and commitment to a “close the loop” culture.
• A positive, customer-focused approach and commitment to exceptional service.
• Good judgment, high ethical standards, and a professional demeanor.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Drive to identify and pursue continuous improvement opportunities as business needs change.
• Excellent organizational, flexibility, and time-management skills, with the ability to work in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and business communication skills, including written, verbal, and listening skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related area.
• An MBA and/or finance degree is a plus.