Senior Analyst, Indirect Procurement - Supplier Performance

Grainger is a broad line, business-to-business distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies and other related products and services. More than 3.2 million businesses and institutions worldwide rely on Grainger for products such as safety gloves, ladders, motors and janitorial supplies, along with services like inventory management and technical support. These customers represent a broad collection of industries including commercial, government, healthcare and manufacturing. They place orders online, on mobile devices, through sales representatives, over the phone and at local branches. Approximately 5,000 suppliers provide Grainger with more than 1.6 million products stocked in Grainger’s distribution centers and branches worldwide.

Primary Function:

Indirect Procurement Operations supports suppliers and Grainger team members that source or purchase goods and services to run our business. The Sr. Supplier Performance Analyst will lead the ongoing effort to centralize and standardize the Indirect Supplier Performance program including development, implementation, and maintenance of scorecards and supplier performance reviews. This role is part of the Supplier Operations team and will support other supplier operation functions. 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with internal partners and external suppliers to develop criteria for performance scorecard for critical indirect suppliers to minimize business interruption and risk 
• Mitigate risk to Grainger’s business and internal business partners by analyzing and segmenting indirect suppliers by criticality and spend to identify critical suppliers for performance management 

• Utilize current systems and/or explore system opportunities to automate supplier performance to streamline practices and processes 
• Assist with the development, implementation, and tactical responsibilities of the Indirect Supplier Performance program including scorecard development, reporting, stakeholder management, and performance review cadence 
• Develop and implement Supplier Performance reporting requirements to management and stakeholders to provide insights for decision making 
• Develop process flows and work instructions to govern the Indirect Supplier Performance program 
• Ensure that process development and improvements are customer focused and aligned with the organization’s strategic direction and goals 

• Drives both cultural and procedural changes across a global organization and supply base 
• Develops and maintains open and productive communication channels across all stakeholders 
• Build strong working relationships with key internal and supplier partners, across organizational levels, to effectively resolve issues, champion new ideas, and drive change 
• Leverage data, analytics, and broad business knowledge to identify, prioritize and solve problems or influence decisions impacting Grainger and indirect suppliers 
• Develop, maintain, and train users on process documentation to drive compliance of standard work processes.  

Preferred Education & Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in supplier performance or field with transferable skills 
• Complex problem solving and critical thinking skills with demonstrated ability to leverage data and analytics to drive clear and actionable insights or recommendations  
• Change Management – foster collaboration cross-functionally; identify and manage impacts to key stakeholders; influence without authority; create alignment to achieve objectives 
• Communication – excellent verbal and written communication; active listening; effectively distill complex information into a clear, appropriate message 

• Relationship Building – identify key internal and external stakeholders at all levels and develop strong partnering relationships; develop and maintain open communication and coordination; leverage relationships in pursuit of objectives 
• Business and Financial Acumen – knowledge and application of business strategies; effectively evaluate costs/benefits of varying options. Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to drive results. 

 Preferred:

• Ability to design and utilize metrics - assess health of operation and process efficiencies. 
• Demonstrated Project Management skills -ability to plan and execute on tight deadlines with multiple priorities. 

• Results and Deadline-oriented 
• Systems Proficiency - Contracting Systems, Excel, Word and Access 

 Position can be based in Chicago or Lake Forest

EEOC Statement

Grainger is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.