Discover and apply for Director Indirect Strategic Sourcing jobs, a pivotal senior leadership role at the intersection of procurement, finance, and corporate strategy. Professionals in this position are responsible for designing and executing high-level procurement strategies for all non-production related goods and services that enable an organization to function. This encompasses a vast and critical portfolio of categories, including Information Technology (IT), professional services (legal, consulting, marketing), facilities management, corporate real estate, logistics, human resources, and capital expenditures. Unlike direct sourcing tied to manufacturing, indirect sourcing focuses on operational efficiency, cost optimization, and risk mitigation across the entire enterprise, making it a key driver of profitability and agility. A Director of Indirect Strategic Sourcing typically leads a team of category managers and sourcing specialists, setting the vision and best practices for the entire indirect procurement function. Their core responsibility is to act as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to C-suite executives and department heads in Finance, IT, HR, Legal, and Marketing. They build strong cross-functional partnerships to ensure procurement is involved early in key initiatives, influencing decisions before requirements are finalized. A significant part of the role involves developing comprehensive, data-driven category strategies that align with corporate objectives, focusing on total cost of ownership, value creation, and innovation rather than just unit price reduction. This includes leading complex, multi-million dollar negotiations with suppliers to secure advantageous long-term agreements that ensure resilience, quality, and continuous improvement. Common responsibilities for these leadership jobs include managing the entire supplier lifecycle for strategic partners, from selection and onboarding to performance management and relationship development. Directors in this field champion corporate initiatives such as supplier diversity, sustainability programs, and ethical sourcing practices. They are accountable for delivering substantial annual cost savings and value targets, which they track and report through defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covering savings realization, supplier performance, contract compliance, and process efficiency. Ensuring all activities adhere to legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements, often in close partnership with the Legal department, is a fundamental duty. Typical skills and requirements for candidates exploring Director Indirect Strategic Sourcing jobs include a bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field, with an advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or professional procurement certification (like CIPS) being highly advantageous. Employers generally seek 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, with deep expertise across multiple indirect categories and a proven track record in multinational environments. Essential skills include exceptional stakeholder influence and executive communication, advanced financial and analytical acumen, mastery of complex negotiation and supplier relationship management (SRM), and strong leadership capabilities to mentor and develop high-performing teams. Proficiency with procurement software (e.g., Coupa, SAP Ariba) and data analytics tools is also commonly expected. This career path is ideal for strategic thinkers with high integrity and commercial judgement who thrive on transforming procurement from a tactical function into a core strategic advantage.
