Direct Material Leader, Global Sourcing

It’s a great time to join Velcro Companies !

Summary of Position Responsibility:

Direct Material Global Sourcing Leader provides strategic leadership and direction for the company’s global direct sourcing needs , p urchasing and supplier management functions. This role ensures cost-effective, ethical, and sustainable sourcing strategies that support organizational goals, strengthen supplier partnerships, mitigate risk, and drive competitive advantage. This role will develop a high-performing Direct Material Sourcing organization that regularly delivers value, innovation, and quality across all categories/regions worldwide . This position will lead a team of th ree ( 3 ) professionals.

As the Direct Material Leader, you will be knowledgeable of Company input materials and critical indices. The incumbent will be responsible for building multi-year, multi-category strategies which manifest into formal agreements that drive meaningful impact to the P&L.

This position is expected to contribute to the organization’s thought leadership in the ir respective categories and ensure the Company executes global sourcing initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following :

Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute the company’s global sourcing and procurement strategy aligned with the Global VP and overall business objectives .

Identify and pursue opportunities to optimize total cost of ownership, improve supply chain efficiency, and resilience . Incumbent will collaborate with Direct Category M anagers to strengthen supplier relationships.

Build and lead a global Direct Materials sourcing team capable of supporting current and future business growth.

Continue to develop/enhance global metrics and KPI measuring tools for the betterment of the company utilizing “ best in class ” benchmarks.

Lead, monitor, coach Sourcing team on all critical Sourcing KPI’s and initiatives/projects

Stay current on category market s , industries, cost drivers and mega trends,

Provide insights and economic outlook to inform and guide category strategies , keeping the company updated on opportunities & risks.

Manage supporting personnel in the execution of the multi-step strategic sourcing process.

Support strategy development , negotiations and contract approach for all major global business agreements.

Supplier & Contract Management

Establish a robust global supplier selection , evaluation, and performance management framework.

Negotiate using established G lobal Direct Material contracts that secure favorable terms, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory, ethical, and sustainability standards.

Update, modify or enhance current templates as needed or as best practice dictates.

Through the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) framework, d rive global supplier innovation in product development, technology, and supply chain resilience.

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Operational Excellence

Partner with internal stakeholders (R&D, operations, finance, quality, planning & logistics ) to align sourcing strategies with organizational needs. ( e.g. make v. buy)

Implement best-in-class sourcing processes, tools, and analytics to enhance decision-making and visibility across the supply base.

Ensure continuity of supply , price certainty and proactively manage global risks, including geopolitical, financial, and operational challenges.

Lead the deployment of KPI’s that define performance targets aligned with the financial and supply chain performance goals of the company (global, regional, local).

Collaborate with the VP of Global Procurement to implement Supply Chain Financing (SCF) solutions t hat extend payment terms , positively impact DPO and CCC., a ligned with company goals across the Direct Material supplier base.

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Governance & Compliance

Ensure adherence to company policies, legal requirements, and industry standards across all sourcing activities.

Champion sustainability, diversity, and corporate social responsibility within the global supply chain.

Monitor and report on sourcing performance, cost savings, and risk metrics to senior leadership .

Non-essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following :

Other duties may be assigned or required for the performance of this position

Knowledge & Experience (Minimum Job Qualifications) :

You’re a driven and curious problem solver that has a bias for action , who can bring big ideas to life.

You’re creative and resourceful but can navigate a complex organization with ease. You’re agile and adaptable but work with precision to ensure we deliver top-notch customer experiences, always.

You have experience and proven track record deploying AI for Purchasing professionals.

You should also have:

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).

1 0 years of progressive experience in global sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with at least 3 years in leadership roles.

Demonstrated strong record for building effective teams in all direct material categories . Preference given to remote worker situations.

Proven experience as a business leader with sound management skills and experience managing metric-oriented performance objectives.

Proven track record of negotiating and managing complex global supplier agreements and partnerships

Experience in Strategic Sourcing of commodities, raw material, and finished goods is preferred

Experience in a continuous improvement environment with a successful YOY track record

Experience operating successfully in an agile, highly matrixed environment

Experience in team building and management of direct reports

Experience in multicultural negotiations, contracting and supplier management activities required

Experience in leading large, globa l l y complex projects required

Strong financial acumen with the ability to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and business cases.

Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, presentation and influencing skills with the ability to operate across cultures and geographies.

Strong change-management skills, able to lead transformation initiatives in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to deliver cost savings, supplier innovation, and operational efficiencies.

Strong MS Office Skills (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word).

Ability to travel , both domestic and internationally ; up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications:

LEAN and Kaizen experience.

Scientific approach to problem solving

5/6 step sourcing approach

Development/execution of direct material strategies

Continuous improvement, Six Sigma concepts & methodologies, and work experience as a leader with excellent negotiation skills.

Oracle or equivalent ERP experience .

Ability to speak Spanish

Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of employment without current or future employer-sponsored visa support.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

Fostering a culture where people thrive—safely, purposefully, and with opportunity. At Velcro USA Inc., we are committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. We offer competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package, and generous time-off to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Our culture encourages advancement and provides opportunities for both personal and professional development.

Safety is a core value at Velcro USA Inc. and an essential part of every role. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe, healthy work environment through strict adherence to our Global Safety Rules and our goal of achieving Zero Injuries of Any Kind (ZIAK). Employees are expected to complete required safety training, use personal protective equipment (PPE), report unsafe conditions, and follow protocols for fall protection, lockout/t