Program Lead - Procurement Cost & Strategy

Program Lead - Procurement Cost & Strategy

Job Description

Program Lead – Cost & Strategy

The client is seeking a Program Lead – Cost & Strategy to join their team! This role is responsible for driving the successful execution of the most critical cost-saving procurement initiatives. It brings structure, rigor, and project discipline to high-value opportunities—ensuring they are clearly defined, well-governed, and effectively executed by sourcing teams.

Works closely with:
Procurement Insight Consultant (opportunity identification)
Category Managers / Sourcing Leads (execution)
Finance / Stakeholders (validation & tracking)

Key Duties:
Opportunity Execution & Value Delivery
Own the end-to-end orchestration of priority cost-saving initiatives
Translate identified opportunities into structured execution plans
Ensure initiatives are clearly scoped, measurable, and time-bound
Track and drive value realization against targets
Project Management & Governance
Apply strong project management discipline across initiatives:
o Timelines, milestones, dependencies, risk tracking
Establish and maintain governance routines (cadence, reporting, escalation)
Proactively remove blockers and ensure forward momentum
Rigor & Performance Management
Introduce standardized frameworks, tools, and templates for execution
Challenge assumptions and strengthen the quality of opportunity cases
Ensure alignment between procurement, finance, and business stakeholders
Act as a “performance accelerator” across key initiatives
Negotiation Strategy Support
Provide expert input into negotiation strategies and tactics
Coach and support sourcing teams in approach, preparation, and positioning
Strengthen negotiation outcomes without acting as the lead negotiator
Stakeholder Alignment & Enablement
Prepare execution teams with the clarity, tools, and structure needed to deliver
Drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
Communicate progress, risks, and outcomes effectively to leadership
Strategy & Transformation Support
Contribute to the Procurement strategic development, deployment, and execution process.
Globally collaborate with our TRATON brand partners in the TRATON Procurement Transformation space to support transformation initiatives (helping represent the client).

This is a highly visible, challenging, and rewarding position in a supportive, fast-paced environment.

Key Capabilities & Experience

Core Skills
Strong procurement / sourcing experience (category or strategic sourcing background preferred)
Advanced project management skills (formal or practical experience)
Proven ability to drive execution and deliver measurable results
Excellent analytical thinking and attention to detail

Specialized Strengths
Deep understanding of cost drivers and value levers in procurement
Strong negotiation expertise (strategy and coaching, not execution ownership)
Ability to add structure and rigor to ambiguous or loosely defined opportunities
Skilled in performance tracking, KPI management, and governance

Ways of Working
Structured, disciplined, and outcome-oriented
Comfortable operating across teams without direct authority
Able to challenge constructively and elevate performance
Strong communicator with executive-level clarity


Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience
At least 1 year of lead experience
OR
Master's degree and at least 3 years of purchasing/procurement experience
At least 1 year of lead experience
OR
At least 8 years of purchasing/procurement experience
At least 1 year of lead experience

Desired Skills:
Technical & Analytical Skills: Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret large, complex datasets. Experience working with spend or financial data.
Discipline & rigor: Ability to bring discipline and rigor to loosely defined opportunities.
Negotiation: Strong experience in complex negotiation (preparation & execution).
Powerpoint / Presentation: Ability to build and deliver information to all levels of the organization whether leading or supporting a specific opportunity.
Collaboration & Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights. Ability to present findings to non-technical stakeholders in a compelling way.
Positive Attitude & Work Ethic: Demonstrates a positive, accountable, results-oriented mindset.
Prioritization & Problem Solving: Ability to multi-task, prioritize, anticipate issues, and adjust resources as needed.
Learning Agility: Quickly learns new concepts, processes, and tools.

They need to come in hit the ground running and assist with cost savings for the year

An operator, challenger, and change agent.

They need to:
Influence category leaders without owning their categories
Turn broad savings targets into executable initiatives
Know procurement levers: RFQ, negotiation, indexing, VA/VE, consolidation, BCC, supplier rationalization, terms, freight, demand management

Notes:
Onsite
40 day position might go a little longer but not sure

VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.