Strategic Supply Category Manager - Detroit, MI

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An advanced non-management purchasing professional, focusing on specific categories/ subcategories. Responsible for sourcing activities which support cost management initiatives. Conducts spend analyses, identify risks and opportunities, studies market trends, interviews vendors, and provide recommendations for sourcing . Develops and implements long term strategies applicable to a given supply category(s), designed to promote ongoing cost and quality improvements, and develops performance and Total Cost of Ownership metrics. Lead cross-functional teams engaged in procurement activities, and provide work direction and/or training to other professional. Span of control = 0; this is an individual contributor position.

Key Accountabilities

• Creates and maintains strategic sourcing plans and long-term strategies designed to generate on-going savings, including: contracting methodologies, industry best practices, internal process improvement, and value-add services from suppliers.
• Provides expert advice, counsel and execution in specific area(s) of spend.
• Leads innovative and creative cross-functional teams to develop and implement cost effective procurement strategies.
• Cultivates and builds internal and external alliances and partnerships with business units and suppliers to achieve ongoing cost reductions, process improvements and best practices.
• Studies market trends, acquiring and assessing market intelligence; conducts and applies benchmarking/competitive assessments; develops and continually assesses procurement strategies.
• Provide mentoring and direction to procurement staff as needed to implement sourcing goals.
• Initiates new ideas and approaches; challenges prevailing practices & approaches with reasonably sound alternatives.
• Understands and supports the SPM processes and goals

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in supply chain management and procurement/purchasing

• Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics
• Master's degree
• Experience developing commodity or category buying strategies
• Yellow/Green/Black Belt certification

• Ability to mitigate supply chain risk including but not limited to tariffs, supply chain shortages, demand planning, international trade, and supplier financial solvency.
• Research Import/Export Duties: Identify the tariff structures in the countries suppliers operate in, including customs duties, taxes (like VAT/GST), and surcharges.
• Working knowledge of Trade Agreements and impacts to Tariffs Advise Sr. Management on the appropriate response to escalated complaints regarding current tariffs or tariff interpretation and meet with executives or other representatives from customer organizations as needed to explain complex tariff issues.
• Analyze and interpret tariffs and trade regulations to ensure compliance with international trade agreements, including International Logistics
• Advise stakeholders on the impact of tariffs on business operations.
• Working knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
• Develop strategies to minimize tariff-related costs and risks, including direct negotiations with Vendors.
• Stay updated on global trade policies and tariff changes.
• Provide training and support to internal teams on tariff regulations, including guidance documents and reference material
• Financial / economic modeling and reporting methodologies (ROI, ROA , supplier financial performance, etc) experience beneficial.
• Intermediate-to-advanced skills in Microsoft applications (i.e: Excel, PowerPoint, & Word)
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.Consulting and influencing skills consistent with the ability to build relationships and influence parties; may include getting parties to embrace changing expectations and initiatives.
• Strong analytical & problemsolving skills consistent with the ability to identify key issues from a broad range of alternatives, and recommend optimal solutions for various situations.
• Experience with leading crossfunctional procurement teams, establishing workflows, and operational procedures
• Strong negotiation and contract writing, as demonstrated by successfully and independently handling complex contracts, including proficiency in considering multiple long term and short term variables, building relationships with our business unit partners and vendors, crafting contracts that are uniquely tailored to fit business needs, scope of work, making recommendations for legal review, generating creative and innovative solutions, and reviewing peers contracts for compliance with DTE Energy requirements.
• Able to cope with multiple demands from superiors, client business units and external parties in a positive and evenhanded fashion; displays a calm demeanor under pressure.
• Demonstrated application of continuous improvement tools, systems & processes.