IT Senior Director, Supplier Management

Work Flexibility: Hybrid

Job Description
As the Senior Director of IT - Supplier Management, you will play a critical role in overseeing and optimizing the strategic direction, relationships, and performance of the IT organization's suppliers. You will be responsible for establishing and implementing strategies, processes, and metrics to ensure that suppliers meet or exceed performance expectations. Additionally, you will oversee compliance with contractual obligations, manage risk, and drive value creation while fostering continuous improvement in supplier relationships. This role encompasses the strategy and execution of Stryker’s global IT supplier engagement for $500M+ in annual vendor spend. Your contributions will be pivotal in developing and maintaining strong supplier relationships, optimizing supplier performance, mitigating risks, and driving strategic advantages for the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Risk Management

• Develop and execute the overall supplier strategy in alignment with organizational goals and objectives, identifying opportunities for partnerships, evaluating market trends, and creating a roadmap for supplier engagement.
• Assess and mitigate risks within the supplier base, creating contingency plans to address potential disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Develop and implement tailored strategies for global markets, aligning capabilities with appropriate cost structures while optimizing overall IT expenses.

Supplier Performance, Governance, and Compliance

• Establish a comprehensive supplier performance management framework, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance against established KPIs, identifying areas for improvement and driving initiatives to enhance outcomes.
• Design and maintain a robust supplier governance framework, including policies, procedures, and contractual obligations.
• Approve and oversee internal and external policies, standards, processes, and templates for supplier interactions.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, as well as internal policies and procedures.
• Conduct supplier audits and assessments to evaluate compliance and identify potential risks.
• Implement corrective actions and mitigation strategies to address non-compliance or risks.
• Facilitate regular supplier performance reviews, providing actionable feedback and collaborating on resolution and improvement plans.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Foster strong and collaborative relationships with key suppliers, serving as a trusted advisor and escalation point for critical issues.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Procurement, Legal, and IT leadership, to align and coordinate supplier activities.
• Organize and lead regular senior-level meetings between suppliers and IT leadership, including the CIO, CISO, and senior IT stakeholders.
• Identify additional value through supplier agreements by driving strategic priorities, partnering on innovation, and aligning vendor plans with IT goals.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Lead initiatives to optimize supplier performance, reduce costs, and enhance overall value.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and collaboration with suppliers to drive mutual growth and competitive advantage.
• Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in supplier management, recommending relevant strategies and approaches.
• Support ongoing training and education within the IT organization to build vendor management capabilities.

Team Leadership and Development

• Build and lead a high-performing team, providing mentorship, guidance, and development opportunities.
• Create a positive and inclusive work environment that encourages teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Set clear goals and performance expectations for team members, providing regular feedback and conducting performance evaluations.

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Education & Special Trainings

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or equivalent industry experience is required.
• A degree in Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Science, Computer Information Systems, or a similar technical field is preferred.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of industry experience working in an enterprise environment; regulated industry experience is a plu