Director of Procurement Strategy and Market Intelligence

Western Digital Director of Procurement Strategy and Market Intelligence Santa Fe, New Mexico At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.
At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we've been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.
We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world's biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.
We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital, G-Technology, SanDisk and WD brands.

Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Director of Procurement Strategy and Market Intelligence to lead the development and execution of procurement strategies that align with our business objectives. This role will focus on market research, competitive analysis, and supplier management to ensure that our procurement function remains efficient, cost-effective, and forward-thinking. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of global supply chains, market dynamics, and data-driven decision-making. This person will also act in a Chief of Staff capacity to the CPO by driving strategic initiatives, managing key projects, coordinating cross-departmental efforts, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Procurement Development: Develop and implement long-term procurement strategies aligned with the company's business goals.
Oversee the identification and evaluation of new suppliers, markets, and business opportunities to improve procurement performance.
Define procurement objectives and performance metrics to drive improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and quality.
Lead the gathering and analysis of market data to understand industry trends, commodity price fluctuations, and potential supply chain disruptions.
Provide actionable insights from market intelligence to inform procurement decisions and strategic planning.
Monitor competitor activities and the supplier landscape to identify potential opportunities and risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders, including finance, operations, and marketing, to ensure procurement strategies align with overall business needs.
Collaborate with the finance team to develop accurate procurement forecasts and budget planning.

Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement strategy and market intelligence team.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and innovation within the team.
Analyze market risks, including geopolitical and economic factors, and create strategies to mitigate supply chain risks.
Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

Reporting & Communication: Report to senior management on procurement performance, market trends, cost-saving initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies.
Provide regular updates and recommendations to the executive team on procurement strategy and market intelligence insights.

Strategic Planning and Execution: Collaborate with procurement leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives.
Conduct in-depth analysis of procurement operations to identify opportunities for improvement.
Develop and implement operational plans to achieve procurement goals and objectives.
Oversee the development and implementation of procurement policies and procedures.

Operational Excellence: Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organizational goals.
Streamline procurement processes and improve efficiency through process optimization.
Develop and implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure procurement performance.
Analyze procurement data to identify trends and opportunities for cost savings.

Team Management and Development: Provide leadership and mentorship to procurement team members.
Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the procurement organization.
Identify training and development needs for procurement staff.

Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Effectively communicate procurement strategies and initiatives to stakeholders.
Resolve conflicts and issues related to procurement operations.
Provide executive-level support to procurement leadership, preparing presentations, and coordinating cross-team inputs for critical meetings and decisions.
Conduct research and analysis on procurement-related topics.
Prepare reports and presentations for senior management.

Qualifications
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field.
12+ years of experience in procurement or a related field.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to operate in a proactive way anticipating the needs of stakeholders.
Enacts high-quality work and has demonstrated ability to drive outcomes effectively representing C-suite.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
Proven ability to lead and develop teams.
Proficiency in procurement software and tools.
Master's degree or MBA preferred.
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