Senior Director, Supplier Strategy
Description
Position Summary
The Senior Director Supplier Strategy leads HemaSource's category management and supplier relationship functions across all product lines. This role is the strategic owner of HemaSource's supplier base - responsible for the overall health, performance, and competitive positioning of vendor relationships that sustain the company's five-DC distribution network.
The Sr Director Supplier Strategy manages and supports sourcing, vendor contracting/negotiations, procurement, and supplier relations and management. He or she serves as the primary executive interface to commercial sales leadership on product strategy, new item pipeline, and customer-facing commitments. The role carries accountability for category margin performance, preferred supplier program integrity, supply continuity, and the governance gate co-sign process related to catalog adds, sunsets, exclusive/private label offerings, and volume commitments.
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Why this role exists: HemaSource competes on product availability, supplier exclusivity, and category depth in the plasma market. The Sr Director Supplier Strategy is the organizational function that turns supplier relationships into competitive advantage - ensuring HemaSource has the right products, at the right cost, from the right suppliers, before the market moves. |
Key Responsibilities
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Governance & Decision Authority
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• Co-enforces joint sign-off process on all catalog adds, product sunsets, and volume commitments with CFO and Commercial Leader - no item enters or exits the catalog without this gate • Co-signs governance gate decisions with Demand Planning for exclusive/private label arrangements • Approves non-standard sourcing decisions escalated by Supplier Strategy Managers |
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Category Strategy & P&L
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• Owns category-level margin performance - accountable for COGS trends, cost savings targets, and gross margin contribution by product line • Develops and executes annual category strategies aligned with HemaSource's commercial growth objectives and customer mix • Identifies and pursues cost reduction opportunities, alternative sourcing options, and margin expansion initiatives across assigned categories • Evaluates make/buy and private-label opportunities; leads supplier development for exclusive product programs (e.g., Cap Tubes, Cannulas) |
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Supplier Relationship Management
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• Serves as executive-level relationship owner for Tier 1 and strategic suppliers; conducts business reviews and holds suppliers accountable to contracted performance • Serves as single point of contact for Vanguard (key sourcing partner) interactions and expansion of catalog • Conducts business reviews with Tier 1 suppliers; places underperformers on 90-day performance improvement plans • Coordinates with Plasma Core Supplier Strategy Manager to avoid conflicting volume commitments to shared suppliers • Attends trade shows to identify new product offerings and market opportunities |
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Supply Risk Management
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• Maintains dual-source coverage for critical plasma product categories - single-supplier dependency is flagged and remediated within 30 days • Monitors supplier financial health, regulatory compliance, and operational stability; escalates risks proactively • Develops and maintains supply continuity contingency plans for high-volume and high-risk product lines • Owns supplier qualification standards and ensures all active suppliers meet FDA, DSCSA, and HemaSource internal quality requirements |
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GPO & Contract Management
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• If applicable, nonitors GPO contract compliance across applicable product categories; tracks contract utilization and tier thresholds • Manages supplier contract lifecycle - tracks expiration dates, initiates renewals on defined lead time, and escalates amendment needs to CFO • Ensures pricing agreements are enforced at PO execution level and that Buyers are operating within contracted terms |
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Commercial Interface
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• Primary peer-level interface to commercial sales leadership on product strategy, new item pipeline, and customer-facing product commitments • Attends regular customer meetings alongside Supplier Strategy Manager / Buyer • Coordinates with commercial sales to avoid customer commitments that exceed current sourcing capability or contracted supply • Provides COGS data and sourcing constraints to support customer contract negotiations |
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Warehouse & DC Interface
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• Owns executive escalation path for systemic supplier issues affecting multiple DCs • Coordinates with Quality/Regulatory on CAPA for quality and lot traceability events |
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Team Leadership
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• Leads, develops, and performance-manages the Supplier Strategy Manager(s) and Supplier Analyst(s) • Sets clear performance expectations; conducts regular 1:1s and formal performance reviews • Builds team capability in negotiation, supplier scorecard management, and category strategy development • Participates in hiring decisions for procurement team roles |
Qualifications
Required
- 15+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement in a medical supply, healthcare distribution, or regulated product environment
- Demonstrated track record in supplier contract negotiation, preferred supplier program management, and category P&L ownership
- Experience managing and developing direct reports in a sourcing or procurement function
- Proficiency in ERP purchasing systems and supplier scorecard methodologies
- Strong analytical skills - comfortable with margin analysis, cost benchmarking, RFQ evaluation, and business case development
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain executive-level supplier relationships
- Familiarity with FDA facility registration requirements, DSCSA lot traceability, and medical product regulatory standards
Preferred
- Experience in specialty distribution, medical supply categories, or alternate site healthcare end markets
- APICS CSCP, CPIM, or equivalent supply chain certification
- Experience with GPO contract compliance and multi-tier pricing structures (Premier, Vizient, Provista, or equivalent)
- Private label or exclusive product development experience - supplier qualification, product validation, packaging, and go-to-market
- Trade show attendance and supplier market development experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field; MBA preferred
Core Competencies
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Leadership & Strategic Thinking |
Execution & Results |
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• Category strategy development and execution • Executive supplier relationship management • Supply risk identification and mitigation • Cross-functional influence without direct authority • Commercial acumen - understands margin, pricing, and customer value |
• Supplier negotiation and contract management • Scorecard management and performance accountability • Data-driven decision making • Multi-priority management in a fast-paced DC environment • Team development and coaching |
How This Role Is Measured
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KPI |
Target / Description |
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Supplier OTIF (on-time in-full) |
≥95% across all Tier 1 preferred suppliers, rolling 12 months |
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Category cost savings |
Annual target set with CFO; measured as reduction vs. prior-year COGS or market benchmark |
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Preferred supplier program coverage |
% of spend under Tier 1 preferred agreements; dual-source coverage in plasma categories |
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Governance gate compliance |
100% of catalog adds and sunsets processed through documented joint sign-off |
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New item cycle time |
Median cycle time for items in managed categories vs. target range |
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Supplier scorecard completion |
Monthly scorecards completed for all Tier 1 and 2 suppliers by defined deadline |
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Contract lifecycle compliance |
No contracts lapsed without renewal; no pricing exceptions outside contracted terms |
Working Conditions
- Office-based, Salt Lake City headquarters with hybrid flexibility; regular presence required (potential for Remote)
- Travel to DC locations (SLC, DAL, JAX, KNX, WAR) for supplier issue escalations and operational reviews - estimated 10–15% travel
- Attendance at industry trade shows and supplier facility visits - estimated 4–6 trips annually
- Regular customer-facing meetings including weekly standing meetings with key plasma accounts