Aquent | Strategic Sourcing Manager - Operations and Marketing | wilmington, nc

At Aquent, a Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading vendor contract negotiations, conducting RFIs and RFPs, and providing expert guidance on vendor-related matters in the operations and marketing spend categories. You'll collaborate with various internal teams to drive sourcing projects, ensuring they meet governance requirements while conducting analyses to model costs and design optimal commercial structures, making informed decisions based on risks and benefits.

To qualify for the Strategic Sourcing Manager position at Aquent, candidates should have at least a Bachelor’s degree and over four years of experience in strategic sourcing, particularly with commercial negotiations and running RFIs and RFPs. Experience in regulated industries like banking, insurance, or pharmaceuticals is preferred, along with strong analytical, communication, and project management skills.

The work environment at Aquent for a Strategic Sourcing Manager is collaborative and fast-paced, where team members are encouraged to take the initiative and drive high performance. You'll work with various stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and strategic planning for vendor management, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where diverse perspectives are valued.

In the Strategic Sourcing Manager role at Aquent, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for financial analysis, is essential. You'll need excellent analytical skills, an understanding of contract management, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing tasks effectively. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills are also crucial for influencing decisions across departments.

Aquent offers comprehensive benefits to its Strategic Sourcing Manager, including subsidized health, vision, and dental insurance, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a company match. Additionally, eligible employees can access free online training through Aquent Gymnasium, contributing to both career growth and personal development in a supportive environment.

When answering this question, provide a detailed overview of your strategic sourcing methodology. Discuss how you assess supplier needs, conduct market analysis, and lead negotiations, emphasizing specific examples from your previous experience. Highlight any tools or frameworks you utilized and the outcomes of your strategies to showcase your effectiveness.

To respond effectively, share a specific challenge you've encountered during vendor negotiations, explaining the context and your approach to resolving it. Discuss the negotiation techniques you used, how you maintained stakeholder relationships, and what you learned from the experience. This demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and resilience.

Highlight your understanding of compliance requirements by discussing your previous experiences ensuring adherence to policies. Include specific steps you take, such as reviewing contracts, conducting due diligence on vendors, and collaborating with compliance teams to mitigate risks. This shows your commitment to maintaining high standards in sourcing practices.

When discussing your project management skills, detail your organizational strategies for managing multiple projects. Explain your process for prioritization, whether it's based on deadlines, business impact, or stakeholder needs. Mention any tools you use, like project management software, and share examples of how you successfully juggled competing demands.

Discuss specific metrics you track, such as cost savings, supplier quality, delivery performance, and compliance rates. Explain how you gather and analyze data to measure vendor performance, and share examples of how this data has informed your sourcing strategies or led to improvements. This illustrates your analytical skills and results-oriented mindset.

Emphasize the importance of communication and trust in relationship-building. Provide examples of how you've engaged with stakeholders throughout the sourcing process, highlighting your listening skills and responsiveness to their needs. Explain how you ensure transparency and collaboration, and discuss any techniques you use to foster strong partnerships.

When answering, provide a concrete example of a strategic sourcing initiative. Discuss your role, the objectives, challenges faced, and the strategies employed to achieve success. Highlight the measurable outcomes, such as cost savings or enhanced supplier performance, to demonstrate your impact and effectiveness as a sourcing leader.

Detail your experience with RFI and RFP processes, explaining the steps involved and your role in executing them. Mention how you identify potential vendors, assess their proposals, and select the best-fit candidates. Sharing specific outcomes from the projects helps reinforce your expertise in managing these critical sourcing activities.

Discuss current trends affecting strategic sourcing, such as digital transformation, sustainability, or geopolitical factors. Explain how these trends influence sourcing strategies and share your insights on how companies can adapt, whether through technology adoption or by diversifying their supplier base. This illustrates your knowledge of the industry and forward-thinking approach.

Express your enthusiasm for the role by linking your professional goals with Aquent's mission and values. Mention specific aspects of the company culture, its commitment to diversity and inclusion, or the unique challenges of the position that excite you. A well-rounded answer will convey your genuine interest in contributing to the team's success.