Head of Sourcing & Vetting with a Global Manufacturer
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Firm: JRG Partners (Exclusive Search)
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a world-class, innovative global manufacturer in their search for a visionary and strategic Head of Sourcing & Vetting. Based at their North American headquarters in the vibrant manufacturing hub of Grand Rapids, Michigan, this executive leadership role is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of a complex, international supply chain. Our client is a leader in their industry, renowned for their commitment to quality, sustainability, and technological advancement. They are seeking a dynamic leader who can build upon this legacy, driving efficiency, mitigating risk, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across their global sourcing operations. This is more than a procurement role; it is a chance to be a key architect of the company’s long-term competitive advantage and operational excellence. You will be empowered to transform processes, build a world-class team, and make a tangible impact on the company’s bottom line and global market position.
Role Overview for Head of Sourcing & Vetting with a Global Manufacturer – Grand Rapids, MI
As the Head of Sourcing & Vetting, you will hold the ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction and operational execution of all global sourcing and supplier management activities. You will report directly to the Chief Supply Chain Officer and serve as a critical member of the senior leadership team. Your mission will be to develop and implement sophisticated, data-driven sourcing strategies that align with the company’s aggressive growth objectives, quality standards, and financial targets. This involves a deep understanding of global commodity markets, geopolitical risk factors, and emerging supply chain technologies.
You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of sourcing managers, category experts, and analysts, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment. Your leadership will be instrumental in optimizing the company’s total cost of ownership (TCO), ensuring supply continuity for critical materials, and building resilient, ethical, and sustainable partnerships with a diverse portfolio of global suppliers.
You will be the central point of contact for all major supplier negotiations and relationships, working cross-functionally with Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Operations to ensure that sourcing activities fully support new product introductions (NPI) and ongoing production needs. This strategic role demands a leader who can balance long-term vision with near-term execution, driving innovation and excellence at every stage of the sourcing and vetting lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities of Head of Sourcing & Vetting with a Global Manufacturer – Grand Rapids, MI
Global Sourcing Strategy
Design, implement, and continuously refine the company’s global sourcing and procurement strategy to enhance competitive advantage, reduce supply chain risk, and drive significant cost savings.
Category Management
Develop and lead comprehensive category management plans for all direct and indirect materials, including raw materials, components, and finished goods, utilizing market intelligence and spend analytics.
Supplier Identification & Vetting
Establish and oversee a robust, multi-stage supplier identification, qualification, and vetting process to ensure all partners meet stringent quality, financial, ethical, and operational standards.
Contract Negotiation & Management
Lead high-stakes negotiations for master supply agreements (MSAs), pricing, and commercial terms with key global suppliers, ensuring favorable outcomes and risk mitigation for the organization.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with critical suppliers, implementing formal SRM programs, conducting regular business reviews (QBRs), and fostering a culture of partnership and innovation.
Cost Optimization & TCO
Champion initiatives focused on reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) through strategic sourcing, value engineering (VA/VE), and should-cost modeling, delivering year-over-year savings.
Risk Mitigation
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, including geopolitical instability, logistical disruptions, supplier financial health, and raw material volatility. Develop and deploy comprehensive contingency plans.
Team Leadership & Development
Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of sourcing professionals. Set clear objectives, provide ongoing coaching, and foster a culture of accountability, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with Engineering and R&D on new product introduction (NPI) projects to ensure early supplier involvement and design for manufacturability and cost.
Operational Excellence
Collaborate with Operations, Planning, and Logistics teams to guarantee supply continuity, optimize inventory levels, and ensure on-time delivery of materials to manufacturing sites worldwide.
Technology & Process Improvement
Drive the adoption and optimization of procurement technologies, including ERP systems, e-sourcing platforms, and spend analytics tools, to improve efficiency, transparency, and data integrity.
Compliance & Sustainability
Ensure all sourcing activities adhere to global trade compliance regulations, corporate social responsibility policies, and environmental sustainability goals.
Market Intelligence
Maintain an expert-level understanding of global market trends, commodity pricing, and economic indicators to inform sourcing strategies and provide valuable insights to the executive team.
Requirements for the Head of Sourcing & Vetting with a Global Manufacturer – Grand Rapids, MI
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Leadership Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply chain management, with at least 7 years in a significant leadership capacity managing a global team.
Industry Expertise
Demonstrable experience within a complex, global manufacturing environment (e.g., automotive, aerospace, industrial goods, consumer electronics) is essential.
Strategic Sourcing Mastery
Proven track record of developing and executing successful global sourcing strategies that have resulted in measurable cost savings, improved supplier performance, and reduced risk. Deep knowledge of strategic sourcing best practices is critical.
Negotiation Skills
World-class negotiation and influencing skills, with a history of successfully leading complex, multi-million dollar contract negotiations with international suppliers.
Financial Acumen
Strong financial and analytical skills, including expertise in TCO analysis, should-cost modeling, and spend analytics. Ability to build a compelling business case for strategic initiatives.
Technical Proficiency
High level of proficiency with modern ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced procurement software (e.g., Ariba, Coupa).
Global Mindset
Extensive experience working with international suppliers across different cultures and continents, with a nuanced understanding of global logistics, trade compliance, and tariffs.
Certifications
Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) from ASCM/APICS are highly desirable.
Communication Skills
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at all levels, including the C-suite.
Problem-Solving
A strategic and analytical thinker with a demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, make sound decisions under pressure, and navigate ambiguity.
Location
Ability and willingness to work on-site at the headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI. Relocation assistance is available for the ideal candidate.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term incentive plan (e.g., stock options or RSUs).
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your family, along with a robust Health Savings Account (HSA) with a generous employer contribution.
Retirement Planning
A best-in-class 401(k) retirement savings plan with a substantial company match to help you secure your financial future.
Work-Life Balance
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, numerous paid holidays, and comprehensive parental leave programs.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including professional certifications, industry conferences, and executive education programs. Tuition reimbursement is also available.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates and their families to ensure a smooth transition to the Grand Rapids area.
On-Site Amenities
Access to a modern corporate campus with various amenities designed to foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to manage this critical executive search. If you are a transformative supply chain leader with the experience and vision to excel in this role, we invite you to take the next step in your career. To apply, please submit your confidential resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the position. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion.
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