Senior Director, Direct Procurement

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop engaging, innovative, and impactful insights content that is essential for clients.

• Generate fresh insights and ideas through thought leadership, offering compelling and actionable strategies to address client needs.

• Perform comprehensive analysis to uncover the root causes of client challenges and requirements.

• Define Insights roles within a team of analysts.

• Present independent insights to Gartner leaders to refine research agendas.

• Investigate, analyze, and forecast market trends and transitions.

• Deliver actionable recommendations to clients and prospects through both virtual and in-person meetings.

• Create and present materials for Gartner events, conferences, and client briefings.

• Assist research and sales efforts by representing the voice of the market.

• Provide prompt peer review of content.

• Establish credibility as an industry expert representing Gartner’s insights, methodologies, and strategies.

• Engage in innovation, ideation, and research discussions.

• Collaborate with colleagues within the Insights community.

• Enhance research processes and create new methodologies for superior service delivery.

• Mentor and guide junior team members.

• Facilitate regular client engagement with Gartner insights and interactions.

• Formulate and implement global direct procurement and commodity strategies.

• Counsel clients on cross-functional governance, shared KPIs, change management, inventory and working capital optimization, VMI, sustainability, and risk management.

• Provide expertise on Should Cost Analysis, clean-sheet costing, total cost of ownership, and supplier economics.

• Examine commodity markets, industry trends, cost drivers, and supply market dynamics.

• Evaluate the impacts of geopolitical factors, tariffs, sanctions, trade policies, and regulations on sourcing decisions.

• Convert intricate market developments into actionable executive guidance.

• Offer insights on inventory optimization, supply continuity, working capital trade-offs, and VMI.

• Oversee supplier risk management, dependency, qualification, onboarding, development, and performance strategies.

• Advise on procurement technology, analytics, AI, and transformation projects.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, procurement, engineering, business, economics, or a related field.

• Over 15 years of progressive experience in direct procurement and supply chain leadership.

• Experience in executive advisory roles supporting CPOs, CSCOs, CFOs, and senior management.

• Proven expertise in direct materials sourcing, commodity strategy, and procurement transformation.

• Outstanding analytical, presentation, research, and communication abilities.

• Established manufacturing background (CPG, heavy industry) within global procurement frameworks.

• Proficient in direct procurement and commodity strategies.

• Familiarity with cross-functional collaboration involving Operations, Finance, R&D, Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Quality Assurance.

• Expertise in Should Cost Analysis, clean-sheet costing, total cost of ownership, and supplier economics.

• Knowledgeable about commodity markets, industry trends, cost drivers, and supply market dynamics.

• Awareness of geopolitical issues, tariffs, sanctions, trade policies, and regulatory effects on sourcing decisions.

• Understanding of inventory optimization, supply continuity, working capital trade-offs, and VMI.

• Experience managing supplier risk, dependency, qualification, onboarding, development, and performance strategies.

• Familiar with procurement technology, analytics, AI, and transformation initiatives.

• Experience in global organizations with hybrid, regional, and global procurement operating models.

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual bonus plan tied to company and individual performance, or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan.

• Leading market benefit programs.

• Generous paid time off (PTO).

• 401k matching up to $7,200 per year.

• Opportunity to acquire company stock at a discounted rate.

• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility to work virtually and meet colleagues in person.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• An inclusive team atmosphere.

• Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans.