Role Overview for VP, Global Procurement with a Consumer Durables Company – Grand Rapids, MI
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a globally recognized leader in the consumer durables industry to recruit a visionary and strategic Vice President of Global Procurement. Our client, headquartered in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, MI, is renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. With a diverse portfolio of household-name brands and a complex global supply chain, they are seeking an executive leader to transform their procurement function into a world-class, value-driven organization.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the VP of Global Procurement will be a pivotal member of the executive leadership team. This role is responsible for the overarching strategy, execution, and leadership of all global sourcing and procurement activities, encompassing billions in annual spend across direct and indirect categories. You will be tasked with building a resilient, agile, and cost-effective supply chain that not only drives profitability but also fuels product innovation and supports the company’s long-term growth objectives. The ideal candidate is a master negotiator, a strategic thinker, and an inspirational leader capable of managing a diverse international team and navigating the complexities of a dynamic global market. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on a thriving organization and shape the future of its global operations.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Global Procurement with a Consumer Durables Company – Grand Rapids, MI
Strategic Sourcing & Global Category Management
- Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive global procurement strategy that aligns with the company’s corporate objectives, focusing on total cost of ownership, risk mitigation, and supplier-led innovation.
- Lead the development and implementation of sophisticated category management strategies for all key direct and indirect spend areas, including raw materials, components, contract manufacturing, logistics, IT, and professional services.
- Conduct in-depth market analysis, commodity tracking, and technology trend assessments to identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and competitive advantage.
- Personally lead and oversee high-stakes negotiations for multi-million dollar contracts with critical global suppliers, ensuring favorable terms, pricing, and performance standards.
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global procurement team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, collaboration, and strategic partnership with the business.
- Structure the procurement organization for optimal effectiveness, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and career progression paths for team members across different regions.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure and report on the procurement function’s performance, including savings, supplier performance, compliance, and process efficiency.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) & Risk Mitigation
- Champion and implement a world-class Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program to cultivate strategic partnerships, drive continuous improvement, and unlock supplier-driven innovation.
- Establish a robust supplier performance management framework, including scorecards, quarterly business reviews (QBRs), and joint business planning with strategic partners.
- Develop and execute a proactive supply chain risk management strategy to identify, assess, and mitigate potential disruptions related to geopolitical instability, natural disasters, financial volatility, and single-source dependencies.
- Ensure the supply base adheres to the company’s stringent standards for quality, ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability.
Cost Optimization & Financial Stewardship
- Drive a relentless focus on cost optimization and value creation, delivering significant year-over-year savings through strategic sourcing, negotiation, value engineering, and demand management.
- Develop and manage the annual procurement department budget and contribute to the company’s overall financial planning and forecasting processes.
- Analyze and report on spend data, purchase price variance (PPV), and total cost of ownership (TCO) to provide actionable insights to the executive team and business stakeholders.
Process Excellence & Digital Transformation
- Lead the continuous improvement of procurement processes and policies, from source-to-contract (S2C) to procure-to-pay (P2P), to enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance.
- Evaluate and champion the adoption of new procurement technologies, such as e-sourcing platforms, contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems, and spend analytics tools, to drive digital transformation within the function.
Requirements for the VP, Global Procurement with a Consumer Durables Company – Grand Rapids, MI
Education & Professional Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, sourcing, and supply chain management, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity overseeing a global team.
- Demonstrable experience managing a large, complex global spend (ideally $1B+) across a wide range of direct and indirect categories within the consumer durables, CPG, automotive, or a similar fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Leadership & Strategic Skills
- Proven track record of transforming a procurement organization from a tactical function to a strategic, value-added business partner.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop talent on a global scale.
- Superior negotiation, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus and drive change at all levels of the organization, including the C-suite.
- A highly strategic and analytical mindset, capable of translating complex data into a clear strategic vision and actionable plans.
Technical & Industry Expertise
- Deep expertise in modern procurement and strategic sourcing methodologies, including category management, TCO analysis, should-cost modeling, and SRM.
- Strong financial acumen and the ability to contribute to strategic business decisions.
- Proficiency with large-scale ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and procurement-specific software suites.
- Professional certifications such as a CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) from the Institute for Supply Management are highly desirable.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package, including:
Competitive Base Salary and Executive Bonus Program
An attractive compensation package designed to reward performance and leadership.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Equity or other long-term incentives to align your success with the company’s growth.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Robust medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans for you and your family.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family.
Generous Paid Time Off
Ample vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays to support work-life balance.
Professional Development
Support for continuing education, executive coaching, and industry conference attendance.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a transformative procurement leader with the experience and passion to drive excellence on a global scale, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications.
JRG Partners is a leader in executive recruitment. To learn more about our focus and successful placements, we invite you to explore our expertise in Industrial & Manufacturing executive search. We look forward to connecting with you.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
