If you combine significant and progressive sourcing experience, including indirect sourcing, with outstanding communication and problem-solving skills and the ability to build strong internal and external relationships, the role of Senior Strategic Souring Manager with Essilor of America offers some compelling opportunities. You will:

• Serve as a “Champion” of Indirect Sourcing and add value as you find solutions, build the network, and develop and maintain strong relationships.
• Enjoy wide visibility as you support various leaders and departments and work with others on the Sourcing and Procurement team.
• Take ownership of a role where you'll have the opportunity to “swim outside of your lane” as you contribute in a variety of different ways from helping establish the new team, to managing projects and requests with small to significant spends, to market research and solutions development, influencing processes and technology, and much more. While you'll be able to leverage the breadth of your skills and knowledge, you can also learn, stretch, and take on new challenges. 
• Be part of a unique, values-oriented culture. We pride ourselves on providing opportunities to proven performers from cross-training to advancement opportunities here in Dallas and around the globe. 
• Enjoy the stability and resources of a growing global organization -- our recent combination with Luxottica has made us the world's largest player in the eyewear industry.
• Join an organization driven by a threefold mission: Improving lives by improving sight, innovating for better vision, and reaching the 2.7 billion underserved.

Improving Lives By Improving Sight. Essilor of America, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of eyeglass lenses in the United States, employs more than 10,000 people and operates the largest and most comprehensive optical laboratory network in the U.S. Essilor of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International. Essilor manufactures optical lenses under the Varilux®, Crizal®, Transitions®, and other brands, and our products are worn by one billion people daily. Essilor has been on Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Innovative Companies every year since 2010, and we ranked #62 out of 700 corporations awarded the title "Diversity Leader 2020" by the Financial Times.

To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship. In addition, to be a good fit for the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting/Finance, Purchasing, Supply Chain  or similar; an MBA preferred  Quick question for you - click here
• 7+ years of progressive sourcing and/or procurement experience required, an MBA may be substituted for 2 years of experience Quick question for you - click here
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) a plus
• Prior leadership / managerial experience; ability to effectively influence others 
• Proven ability to function at a high level within a matrix organization, while creating and maintaining stakeholder and supplier relationships
• Strong understanding of how Sourcing strategies impact financial statements (Income, Balance, Cash Flow)
• Strong background in MS Office Suite applications, with particular skill in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

In addition to your education and experience, you will need the following proven core competencies and characteristics:

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to address and resolve sensitive/emotional business topics
• Demonstrated ability to influence in a cross-functional setting, including several levels above and below your own
• Self-motivation with a strong sense of urgency, and desire to learn and grow personally and professionally
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically and independently
• Ability to serve as a change agent, communicating and driving change within the organization 
• Strong customer service (internal stakeholder) and collaborator mentality; first seeks to understand
• Well organized and able to handle detailed work in a fast-paced, multi-project environment
• Well polished presentation skills, both in creating and delivering the message

We are following stringent COVID-19 precautions and initially, you will work from home. Once it is safe, we will implement a responsible return-to-work plan. We expect that it will involve a bit of flexibility, but you can plan to be in the Dallas office most of the time.

Reporting to the Global Sourcing and Procurement Director, as Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing indirect strategic sourcing initiatives covering the U.S. zone. You will work on multiple projects as assigned by your supervisor or initiated by department leaders, such as HR, IT, Facility Management, etc.  Your primary focus will be on driving Total Cost Optimization, Working Capital Improvement and overall Complexity Reduction in direct alignment with management and stakeholder expectations, and contributing to the overall profitability and cash flow objectives of the company.

More specifically, you will:

• Act as the main interface in managing and facilitating business relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers
• Continually expand the influence of the Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing organization throughout the company
• Identify, communicate and take action on opportunities arising from internal and external data analysis, supplier and stakeholder collaboration and own professional experiences to deliver financial value for the company
• Construct comprehensive plans and timelines to achieve stated goals within budget and on time
• Manage overall supplier qualification process, RFP/RFQ procedures, supplier selection, negotiation, contract development and implementation as it pertains to purchased goods and services
• Work with existing strategic suppliers to drive new innovative products and services
• Establish working relationships with Global Sourcing peers to help maximize overall leverage and expertise when making strategic sourcing decisions
• Ability to effectively lead the department from time to time on behalf of the Sr. Director of Sourcing & Procurement

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Autonomy and support
We're looking for a strong sourcing professional who can make an impact right off the bat. If you're that person, you'll enjoy a good deal of autonomy to execute your role, while also enjoying strong support when you need it. 

Make a name for yourself
Growth has driven our decision to separate direct and indirect sourcing and has opened up an exciting opportunity on our new indirect team. You'll have the opportunity to make a name for yourself in the company as you continue to evolve your career. You'll find many people who have built long careers at Essilor. History shows, that when people join us they tend to stay.

Great environment
You will join a team that includes dedicated, sharp and mutually supportive professionals. Our culture is entrepreneurial and fresh, backed by 170 years of success. You'll also be part of the global talent organization.

Truly living our values
At Essilor, we believe everyone deserves to see life and all its detail with the best vision possible. That's why, in addition to designing, manufacturing and distributing quality vision care solutions worldwide, we invest in raising awareness of the importance of good vision, support eyecare professionals, invent new technologies and products, and support philanthropic initiatives. We also are committed to robust standards for environmental sustainability. These are just a couple of reasons we were one of the 52 companies named to Fortune magazine's 2019 Change the World list.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and bonus potential, we offer an exceptional mix of first-rate benefits, including medical, dental and vision plans; a 401(k) plan with company match; tuition reimbursement; comprehensive training through Essilor University; lens and frame benefits for you and your family; an employee stock purchase plan with company match; and more.

Video: As part of the #DifferenceMakers campaign, Essilor chose four eyecare professionals and three Essilor employees to participate in a mission trip to Southeast Asia in March 2019.

We understand that there will be a learning curve, and you'll have support, but we'll also look to you to be proactive about getting up to speed quickly. The pace here is fast and change happens frequently. Those who excel at Essilor truly enjoy the dynamic environment and remain agile and able to pivot where required.

To support projects and tasks effectively and efficiently, you must also focus your attention on other support areas, including:

• Relationship building
• Sharing ideas and building processes
• Learning and supporting certifications to meet company goals

In addition, in order to be an outstanding Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will:

• Consistently delivers results exceeding individual and group targets
• Proactively take on complex spend categories developing new strategies and business relationships
• Take time to mentor and coach members of the team; be viewed as a leader
• Pay keen attention to detail, and also grasp the bigger picture and how the details fit together
• Bring strong emotional intelligence