Director, Procurement

Summary: 

In this role, the Director of Procurement will be reporting to the Vice President of Supply Chain.  The incumbent will be responsible for direction and leadership of the Procurement team including efforts to optimize the supply base, generate cost savings, and support current and new product development initiatives.  The Director will focus on developing and executing assigned category and Supply Chain strategies as it pertains to the procurement of critical, complex, and/or high dollar equipment, components and materials.

                                                                                                                                   
Essential Functions/Duties and Responsibilities:

Enterprise leadership

• Champion Supply Chain process improvement, operational excellence and cross functional- collaboration to achieve our commercial objectives.
• Analyze key Supply Chain metrics (Supplier Spend, Cost Savings and apprise stakeholders of observed trends, inconsistencies, and opportunities
• Drive Supply Chain sourcing and Supplier Cost reduction Strategies, integrate supply chain communication by being the right hand to Vice President Supply Chain.
• Be self-reflective and aware of his/her own limitations; lead by example and drive the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement.
• Act in a transparent and consistent manner, always considering what is best for the organization.

Setting Strategy

• Work closely across the Fuel Cell Businesses (US-CT, Calgary, Germany) to evaluate common spend and identify opportunities to obtain price reductions with existing Suppliers, rationalizing and consolidating supply base with resulting long-term agreements (LTAs) and supporting lean initiatives with Suppliers.
• Develop and implement procurement systems, policies and procedures that drive supplier development and performance, and continuous improvement throughout the Supply Chain.
• Develop and implement the Sourcing Guidelines and Strategy for Supply Chain projects, including, cost reduction initiatives, work transfers, and dual source strategies to support rate increases projected by customers, as well as inventory reduction and cash improvements.
• Develop “part family” strategies for key commodities (i.e. metals, fabrications, stamping, chemicals) and/or major systems (electrical, integrated fabrications).
• Oversee planning, prioritization, and completion of various supply chain projects; responsible for coordinating projects of a moderate to complex nature across all Fuel Cell sites and ensure projects are achieved within identified and documented time, budget and performance expectations.
• Support and lead the negotiation of Supplier Long-Term Agreements for the Enterprise.
• Proactively balance multiple demands in a fast-paced production environment, provide strong leadership and guidance in the Supply Chain organization and establish cohesive relationships with other functional personnel.
• Develop, report and present key metrics on the initiatives.
• Deployment of best practices across the supply chain team.

Relationships and Influence

• Understand and articulate the value behind the strategic sourcing process including its impact on broader enterprise performance (i.e. margin enhancement), ensuring alignment of resources, risk management, and timeline.
• Connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively and be able to influence without authority.
• Inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, charisma, and active drive.

Executing for Results

• Build and Lead a Strategic Procurement Organization. 
  • Direct and coordinate the day to day and long-term strategic activities of the team to ensure timely procurement of goods and services to meet business demands.
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering and Quality
  • Develop and curate Strategic Sourcing templates (i.e. Fabrication (MBOP), Metals, Stamping)
  • Orchestrate sourcing guidelines and strategic engagement process (i.e. NPI supplier process) stage gate, opportunity weighting, escalation etc.)
  • Proposal creation
  • Accuracy / completeness of CRM
• Build and Lead a Sourcing Support Organization
  • Develop part family strategies, to use for guidance and leverage spend and supplier partnerships in support of engineering needs.
  • Act as strategic representative for key supplier relationships.
  • Be involved in supplier site visits to facilitate onboarding of new suppliers and to maintain strong/new supplier relationships.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Based in Torrington, US
• Travel requirements up to 20%. Travel to and working at supplier sites will be required.
• Batchelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of related Supply Chain Management experience within a manufacturing environment (Oil/gas, energy) or previous Commodity focus on Industrial manufacturing.
• Key Commodity knowledge: Metal Fabrication (welding, Skid mfg), Stamping, Machining, Metals (SS coil, sheet), electronics, indirect sourcing (chemicals, factory consumables)
• Experience with low-cost region sourcing in other countries.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision, reporting as appropriate. A high sense of urgency, accountability, and commitment to delivering value to the organization.
• Previous experience in Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Development or Project Management.
• Supplier Long Term Agreement Negotiations Skills & Experience
• Highly competent in cost reduction activities in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record of negotiation and strong problem-solving skills.
• Competent in using MS Excel (pivots, V-lookups as minimum) and PowerPoint, MRP, and data analytics tools.
• Previous experience of working in Energy, Fuel Cell, Industrial Oil/Gas or similar industry.
• Ability to read technical drawings preferred.
• Authenticity, integrity and humility with the ability to build trust and followership at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence / motivate individuals and teams without hierarchical authority.
• A “builder” and change agent who will challenge traditional thinking to drive bold change.
• Driven by a passion to maximize success for internal and external customers – Always!
• High level of accountability coupled with a track record of delivering sustainable results in a high paced and constantly changing environment.
• Takes action with speed. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to deliver multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting challenging deadlines.
• Strong work ethic with a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently.
• Experience in large, global companies and/or demonstrated ability to operate in an entrepreneurial, roll-up-the-sleeves company.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• General work is in an office environment utilizing a computer and other office equipment.
• Able to wear required personal protective equipment in laboratory, manufacturing or field areas as required, such as safety glasses, safety shoes, clothing or gloves that provide appropriate protection.
• Sedentary work includes writing documentation and working at a computer, utilizing a keyboard and mouse.
• Domestic and international travel as necessary

All Employees Shall:

• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards.
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program.
• Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans.
• Recommend improved EH&S practices.
• Must maintain regular and consistent attendance.

This Job Description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company’s discretion. Nothing in this position description changes or is intended to change the employment at-will relationship with the Company or the terms of any collective bargaining agreement. Employment at-will means that an employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.