Senior Manager, Supplier Management

Work Location Type: Hybrid  

About Grainger:

W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products and solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. Known for its commitment to service and award-winning culture, the Company had 2024 revenue of $17.2 billion across its two business models. In the High-Touch Solutions segment, Grainger offers approximately 2 million maintenances, repair and operating (MRO) products and services, including technical support and inventory management. In the Endless Assortment segment, Zoro.com offers customers access to more than 14 million products, and MonotaRO.com offers more than 24 million products. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.  

 Compensation

The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is $120,400.00  to $200,700.00. 

Rewards and Benefits:

With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

For additional information and details regarding Grainger’s benefits, please click on the link below:

https://experience100.ehr.com/grainger/Home/Tools-Resources/Key-Resources/New-Hire

The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation.  The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills.   

The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above. 

Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.  

Position Details:

We ask that you have holistic business understanding and systemic thinking, analytical mindset and collaboration skills.

The Senior Manager, Supplier Management role has North American strategic responsibility for the supplier relationships and cost of goods sold across multiple product categories of $500M in COGS, $400 M to $800 M in sales.

You will work with Grainger International to guide a North American strategy with aligned suppliers. You will negotiate profitable business, ensure the implementation and compliance to agreements both with the customer and field-based sales resources and Grainger resources.

You will report to the Director, Supplier Management.

This is a hybrid position that is based in Lake Forest or Chicago 3 days a week.

You Will:

Negotiate Win-Win Solutions:

• Develop and implement SRM plans by working directly with supplier leadership of strategic suppliers to assure Grainger's goals are met.
• Use supplier relationships to meet end-to-end needs across the business to improve customer and team member experience and grow revenue
• Develop relationships with vendor partners, focusing on assortment plans, product cost, pricing, logistics, volume rebates, etc.
• Develop deep supplier relationships with strategic suppliers to include data review and analysis, performance management and development and improvement of end-to-end value, and bring innovation to the business

Manage complex supplier relationships:

• Be the single contact for supplier and internal partners for all supplier related issues
• Develop the vision, strategy and implementation plan for specific strategic supplies to meet the strategies and long-range requirements to deliver the maximum value for Grainger
• Build relationships with suppliers in North America. Will work with decision makers within the supplier's organization including Vice Presidents, Presidents and CEOs
• Lead efforts to help improve supplier relationships with Grainger
• Collaborate with merchant and other partners to review impact of inbound management issues on national brand product assortment sourcing strategy and determine action plan
• Design a price/cost management strategy, which provides market competitive pricing
• Implement processes to monitor division satisfaction with suppliers and the central sourcing department
• Support the Supplier Performance Manager in the collection, synthesis and communication and feedback of performance metrics
• Inbound from supplier (examples): supplier-driven product discontinuations, procure to pay issues, manufacturing issues, supplier relationship severance, product underperformance (damages, quality, warranty, etc.), product cost change (cost season and other one-offs), new product development opportunities
• Outbound to supplier (examples): sales force, quotes, RFP, cross-reference, and sourcing support, SSGP, escalations to guide business partner needs (PI, compliance, legal, supplier performance, Zoro, etc.), proactive management of commodity adjustments and business environment changes (bankruptcy, sale of supplier, market changes, etc.)

Achieve Results Through Others:

Coach team to guide results through others with focus on improving gross margin, category ROIC & Economic Earnings, supplier performance, and product information

Lead teams to ensure product compliance with all US and appropriate foreign regulations

Within the product category review (PCR) process:

Gather feedback on national brand supplier performance (field support, supply chain performance, product information, customer service, etc.)

• Evaluate current national brand supplier cost positions
• Document national brand supply recommendations
• Collaborate with merchant on national brand product assortment sourcing strategy
• Develop national brand supplier sourcing strategy
• Establish relationships with national brand suppliers
• Conduct / finalize cost negotiations guided by product assortment strategy
• Negotiate favorable terms and support for growing the business

You Have:

• BS/BA degree in engineering, technology, marketing or business preferred
• 7+ years business experience with a working knowledge of Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Cost Accounting, Finance and Economics
• Comfortable building and delivering presentations to management, staff and field audiences
• Understanding of Our business direction, customer requirements, supply management-marketing strategy, and demand generation fulfillment process
• Experience driving and demonstrating results
• Experience with suppliers, customers, Grainger's strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• Clear knowledge of the negotiation process
• Change Management skills by inspiring teams to welcome change, embrace new directions, and future opportunities. Anticipate change and prepare for it by defining goals, responsibilities and time frames

 We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.