Role Overview for Director, Sourcing & Vetting with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR
JRG Partners is proud to partner with one of the world’s most influential and recognizable retailers in their search for a visionary Director, Sourcing & Vetting. Based at their corporate headquarters in the retail capital of Bentonville, AR, this is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of a global supply chain that serves millions of customers daily. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader responsible for architecting and executing the comprehensive sourcing and supplier vetting strategies that underpin the company’s success. This is not merely a procurement role; it is a leadership position that sits at the intersection of risk management, ethical responsibility, commercial strategy, and operational excellence.
You will be entrusted with the critical task of building and maintaining a world-class, resilient, and ethical supplier base. In an era of unprecedented supply chain complexity and disruption, your leadership will be paramount in navigating geopolitical shifts, ensuring product quality, driving cost efficiencies, and upholding the company’s stringent standards for corporate social responsibility.
You will lead a talented team of sourcing and compliance professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. This role demands a leader who can think globally, act decisively, and build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across merchandising, legal, finance, and logistics. If you are a seasoned sourcing executive with a passion for building robust systems and a desire to make a tangible impact on a global scale, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of Director, Sourcing & Vetting with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR
Develop and Execute Global Sourcing Strategies
You will be the chief architect of the company’s multi-year sourcing roadmap. This involves conducting in-depth market analysis, identifying emerging global sourcing markets, and developing category-specific strategies that align with merchandising goals and financial targets. You will champion initiatives that diversify the supplier base, reduce dependency on single regions, and unlock new value streams through innovative supplier partnerships. Your strategies will balance cost, quality, speed, and risk to create a competitive advantage.
Lead a Rigorous Supplier Vetting and Onboarding Framework
You will own and continuously enhance the end-to-end supplier due diligence process. This includes establishing and enforcing stringent criteria for financial stability, operational capacity, quality control systems, and ethical labor practices. You will oversee a multi-stage vetting process that may include factory audits, social compliance checks, and environmental impact assessments, ensuring every partner in our supply chain reflects the company’s core values.
Team Leadership and Talent Development
Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of sourcing managers, analysts, and vetting specialists. You will be responsible for setting clear performance objectives (KPIs), providing regular coaching and feedback, and fostering professional growth. You will cultivate a collaborative and results-oriented environment where your team feels empowered to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful improvements.
Proactive Supply Chain Risk Mitigation
In a volatile global landscape, you will be the primary driver of supply chain resilience. This involves identifying potential risks—be they geopolitical, economic, logistical, or compliance-related—and developing robust mitigation and contingency plans. You will establish advanced monitoring systems to provide early warnings of potential disruptions and work cross-functionally to ensure business continuity.
Oversee High-Stakes Negotiations and Contract Management
Provide senior oversight and guidance for critical supplier negotiations. You will ensure your team secures favorable terms related to pricing, quality, delivery, and liability. Furthermore, you will be responsible for establishing a robust contract management discipline, ensuring that all supplier agreements are comprehensive, compliant, and effectively managed throughout their lifecycle.
Drive Innovation and Technology Adoption
Champion the use of technology and data analytics to transform the sourcing and vetting functions. You will evaluate and implement advanced procurement technologies, such as e-sourcing platforms, supplier relationship management (SRM) systems, and AI-powered risk assessment tools. You will leverage data to generate actionable insights into supplier performance, market trends, and cost-saving opportunities.
Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration and Alignment
Serve as a key partner to leaders in Merchandising, Product Development, Legal, Finance, and Logistics. You will ensure that sourcing strategies are fully integrated with the broader business objectives. Your ability to communicate effectively, build consensus, and influence stakeholders at all levels will be critical to your success in ensuring a seamless and efficient product-to-market pipeline.
Requirements for the Director, Sourcing & Vetting with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
Extensive Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, global procurement, and supply chain management, with at least 7 years in a significant leadership capacity managing a team of professionals. Direct experience within the high-volume retail, CPG, or FMCG sectors is essential.
Global Sourcing Expertise
Demonstrated mastery of global sourcing methodologies and a proven track record of developing and implementing successful sourcing strategies across multiple product categories and geographic regions, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
Expertise in Due Diligence and Compliance
Deep, practical knowledge of modern supplier vetting protocols, including social compliance audits (e.g., SMETA, WRAP), ethical sourcing standards, environmental regulations, and financial risk assessment. You must be adept at building frameworks that protect brand integrity and ensure corporate responsibility.
Exceptional Leadership and Influence
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop large, geographically dispersed teams. You must possess outstanding executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex strategies and influence senior leadership and external partners.
Strong Analytical and Financial Acumen
Superior analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to utilize data to drive strategic decisions. You must be highly proficient in cost modeling, spend analysis, and building business cases for significant strategic initiatives.
Technology Proficiency
Hands-on experience with modern procurement and supply chain software, including ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), e-sourcing tools, and business intelligence platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
Professional Certifications
Professional certifications such as the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) are highly desirable and will be considered a significant asset.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain top-tier executive talent. This includes:
Competitive Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus and long-term incentives (LTI) such as stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, along with wellness programs and access to on-site health facilities.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you build a secure financial future.
Generous Paid Time Off
A substantial paid time off (PTO) package, including vacation, sick leave, and company-paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive, executive-level relocation package to ensure a smooth transition for you and your family to the vibrant community of Bentonville, AR.
Career Development
A strong commitment to your professional growth with opportunities for executive coaching, continuing education, and participation in industry-leading conferences.
Employee Perks
Access to a significant employee discount on company products, as well as various other corporate perks and local partnership benefits.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical search. If you are a strategic, results-driven sourcing leader ready to take on the challenge of shaping a global supply chain for an industry titan, we encourage you to apply. Your expertise and vision will be instrumental in driving the next phase of our client’s growth and success. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications.
For more information about our expertise in this area, please visit our Retail Executive Search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application.
