Senior Manager, Procurement

Sappi North America is seeking a talented and motivated individual to become part of its agile procurement team and the future of Sappi. Senior Manager, Procurement will operate in a highly matrixed environment. This person will plan and procure direct as well as indirect materials and services for SNA by utilizing available resources and methods, in an efficient and effective manner. Depending on the prior experience of the candidate and the needs of the organization, the specific commodities could include Pulp/ Logistics/ Capital/ Indirect Procurement categories. This person will participate in various corporate sponsored initiatives and providing strong leadership in strategic sourcing on several commodity categories thus helping leverage spend at the highest possible level, both locally and globally.

This position may be based in Boston, MA, Portland, ME or Skowhegan, ME. 

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Works with and provides strategic direction to the appropriate Procurement employees to develop and execute commodity specific strategic sourcing plans targeting reductions while ensuring security of supply, managing financial exposure/ risk, and supporting efficient, high quality mill operations.
• Develop and implement key negotiation strategies with current and new suppliers potentially across multiple areas of procurement to support Sappi’s sustainable growth initiatives. Function as a resource to Sappi for corporate level negotiations.
• Responsible for analyzing the spend, developing spend sub-groupings and sourcing strategies, and implementing the strategic sourcing process leading to more effective third party spend.
• Responsible for making sure that the appropriate mill level procurement activities necessary to support mill operations occur efficiently while delivering the required results.
• Assist Commodity Managers to develop comprehensive and professional sourcing plans and to complete internal data discovery, scope and specification development, market due diligence, competitive intelligence, RFIs and RFPs
• Collect and evaluate RFIs and RFPs (as appropriate) using best in class sourcing tools, techniques, and business practices
• Negotiate complex agreements, statements of work, and service level agreements, with manufacturers, distributors, and service providers, leading a team.
• Facilitate Sappi’s internal process for approval, execution, and lifecycle management of agreements
• Lead implementation and rollout of negotiated agreements to ensure full utilization and supplier compliance with negotiated terms
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement through structural cost reduction and performance improvement, involving suppliers, as required.
• Measure supplier performance against key business objectives. Participate in formal supplier business reviews, including but not limited to supplier evaluations, supplier audits and other related activities
• Provide functional strategic direction in areas of expertise to Procurement employees with the goal of integrating Procurement strategies (and organizations where appropriate) into a comprehensive execution plan that delivers value to customers, stakeholders, and suppliers
• Collaborate with key SNA stakeholders in Manufacturing and R&D to identify opportunities to utilize lower cost alternatives and material substitutions.
   

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, supply chain management, purchasing, logistics, paper science, or any other related subject from an accredited institution
• 8-15 years of procurement experience or comparable experience in positions that have led to the development of business acumen, commercial and interpersonal/collaborative skills consistent with those required of this position. The hiring level may be adjusted based on the candidate’s experience level
   

Skills 

• Ability to articulate a broad vision or strategy into actionable tasks.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize various sourcing techniques to achieve stated goals
• Understanding of economic principles and current state of the economy
• Creativity in thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to communicate and work cross-functionality across all levels of an organization. 
• Consulting, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including supplier relationship management experience.
• Willingness to constructively dissent and challenge senior management at appropriate times.
• Strong project and people management skills with ability to multi-task effectively while dealing with changing priorities.
• Self-starter with ability to prioritize and complete assignments in a timely manner with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and familiarity with AI tools
• Experience with ERP Systems such as SAP is considered a plus.