Shearer Supply
Head of Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Relations
Shearer Supply, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75234
Head Of Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Relations
The Head Of Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Relations leads sourcing strategy, vendor performance, and product line management across the Parts & Supplies business. This role drives value through cost optimization, supplier development, and new product introductionwhile ensuring alignment with sales, operations, and finance. A strong focus is placed on cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and building a resilient, high-performing supply base. Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Strategy Develop and lead sourcing strategies across Parts & Supplies to optimize total cost of ownershipincluding price, logistics, quality, and lead times. Collaborate with cross-functional partners (Sales, Branch Staff, Field Service, Category Leaders) to drive sourcing plans and execution. Oversee supplier development and onboarding to build a balanced, resilient vendor base. Vendor Relationship & Performance Management Own vendor onboarding, development, and segmentation strategies. Lead vendor scorecard management, including KPI design and quarterly performance reviews. Oversee dispute resolution, performance improvement plans, and corrective action as needed. Contract Negotiation & RFP Oversight Lead contract negotiations including terms, pricing, and performance expectations. Manage and execute the full Request for Proposal (RFP) process to ensure transparency, competitiveness, and total value evaluation. Maintain market intelligence to anticipate cost drivers, supply chain shifts, and sourcing opportunities. Cost Savings & Data-Driven Insights Lead cost-reduction and value-improvement initiatives through spend analysis and benchmarking. Partner with Finance to model commodity-based strategies (e.g. copper), optimize supplier mix, and track financial outcomes. Leadership, Cross-Functional Alignment & Product Line Card Management Serve as a key liaison between the procurement team, sales, corporate functions, and operations to ensure aligned sourcing strategy and execution. Maintain and optimize the product line card in collaboration with sales and category leaders. Identify and evaluate new products and suppliers to support growth and differentiation. Analyze product performance, margin contribution, and market fit; rationalize low-value SKUs. Ensure product decisions reflect both customer needs and company margin expectations. Data Governance & Decision Modeling Own and maintain the sourcing intelligence model, consolidating supplier, pricing, rebate, performance, and contract data. Leverage sourcing data models across teams to improve visibility, collaboration, and planning. Ensure systems support timely decision-making, stakeholder transparency, and audit-readiness. Partner with IT and operations to enhance data quality, automation, and reporting capabilities. Sales & Field Engagement Provide clear, consistent communication to sales staff on sourcing decisions and product additions. Serve as a strategic partner to sales by providing vendor support materials, product positioning insights, and supply chain updates. Coordinate training and regular updates with the sales organization to reinforce product strategy and sourcing rationale. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field. 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, vendor management, or category leadershippreferably within HVAC, industrial distribution, or manufacturing. Proven track record in leading RFP processes, vendor negotiations, contract structuring, and supplier relationships. Demonstrated success in managing supplier performance and scorecards, conducting quarterly business reviews, and driving improvements through KPIs. Experience in new product introduction (NPI) and managing product line card strategies that directly impact revenue growth and margin expansion. Strong analytical, benchmarking, and financial modeling skills, with experience collaborating with Finance on commodity strategies and supplier mix optimization. Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, including mentoring or supervising procurement or sourcing professionals. Broad knowledge of supply chain disciplinesplanning, logistics, quality, materials, and operationswith familiarity in lean or continuous improvement environments. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of influencing internal and external stakeholders and maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration. Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPSC, CSCP, or Six Sigma training are highly desirable.
The Head Of Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Relations leads sourcing strategy, vendor performance, and product line management across the Parts & Supplies business. This role drives value through cost optimization, supplier development, and new product introductionwhile ensuring alignment with sales, operations, and finance. A strong focus is placed on cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and building a resilient, high-performing supply base. Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Strategy Develop and lead sourcing strategies across Parts & Supplies to optimize total cost of ownershipincluding price, logistics, quality, and lead times. Collaborate with cross-functional partners (Sales, Branch Staff, Field Service, Category Leaders) to drive sourcing plans and execution. Oversee supplier development and onboarding to build a balanced, resilient vendor base. Vendor Relationship & Performance Management Own vendor onboarding, development, and segmentation strategies. Lead vendor scorecard management, including KPI design and quarterly performance reviews. Oversee dispute resolution, performance improvement plans, and corrective action as needed. Contract Negotiation & RFP Oversight Lead contract negotiations including terms, pricing, and performance expectations. Manage and execute the full Request for Proposal (RFP) process to ensure transparency, competitiveness, and total value evaluation. Maintain market intelligence to anticipate cost drivers, supply chain shifts, and sourcing opportunities. Cost Savings & Data-Driven Insights Lead cost-reduction and value-improvement initiatives through spend analysis and benchmarking. Partner with Finance to model commodity-based strategies (e.g. copper), optimize supplier mix, and track financial outcomes. Leadership, Cross-Functional Alignment & Product Line Card Management Serve as a key liaison between the procurement team, sales, corporate functions, and operations to ensure aligned sourcing strategy and execution. Maintain and optimize the product line card in collaboration with sales and category leaders. Identify and evaluate new products and suppliers to support growth and differentiation. Analyze product performance, margin contribution, and market fit; rationalize low-value SKUs. Ensure product decisions reflect both customer needs and company margin expectations. Data Governance & Decision Modeling Own and maintain the sourcing intelligence model, consolidating supplier, pricing, rebate, performance, and contract data. Leverage sourcing data models across teams to improve visibility, collaboration, and planning. Ensure systems support timely decision-making, stakeholder transparency, and audit-readiness. Partner with IT and operations to enhance data quality, automation, and reporting capabilities. Sales & Field Engagement Provide clear, consistent communication to sales staff on sourcing decisions and product additions. Serve as a strategic partner to sales by providing vendor support materials, product positioning insights, and supply chain updates. Coordinate training and regular updates with the sales organization to reinforce product strategy and sourcing rationale. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field. 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, vendor management, or category leadershippreferably within HVAC, industrial distribution, or manufacturing. Proven track record in leading RFP processes, vendor negotiations, contract structuring, and supplier relationships. Demonstrated success in managing supplier performance and scorecards, conducting quarterly business reviews, and driving improvements through KPIs. Experience in new product introduction (NPI) and managing product line card strategies that directly impact revenue growth and margin expansion. Strong analytical, benchmarking, and financial modeling skills, with experience collaborating with Finance on commodity strategies and supplier mix optimization. Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, including mentoring or supervising procurement or sourcing professionals. Broad knowledge of supply chain disciplinesplanning, logistics, quality, materials, and operationswith familiarity in lean or continuous improvement environments. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of influencing internal and external stakeholders and maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration. Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPSC, CSCP, or Six Sigma training are highly desirable.