Geopolitical Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Procurement Manager – Strategic Initiatives is responsible for leading enterprise‑level procurement efforts that strengthen supply resiliency, enhance continuity of supply, mitigate risk, support commercial growth, and drive long‑term value across direct materials categories. This role functions as the lead for strategic procurement initiatives, including market‑disruption response (e.g., trade conflicts, tariffs, sanctions, and geopolitical instability), cost‑reduction programs, process optimization, and cross‑functional value‑creation efforts. The position requires strong collaboration with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Engineering, Quality, Sales, Marketing, and Product Management.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Program Management

• Develop, maintain, and routinely test the Procurement Action Plan in response to market disruptions such as trade conflicts (tariffs/quotas), sanctions and export controls, geopolitical instability, regulatory changes, logistics constraints, and raw‑material shortages.

• Lead cross‑functional scenario planning (e.g., trade‑war escalation, regional conflict, port disruption) and define playbooks for rapid mitigation, including alternative sources, approved substitutions, and demand allocation recommendations.

• Establish and monitor supplier and country risk indicators (financial health, capacity, geopolitical exposure, compliance, and logistics), triggering escalations and executive decision points as needed.

• Establish program governance, timelines, milestones, KPIs, and reporting structures to ensure consistent execution and accountability.

• Provide executive‑level updates and recommendations based on program performance and risk assessments.

Supply Resiliency and Geopolitical Disruption Response

• Design and execute resilience strategies for critical direct materials (dual sourcing, qualified alternates, safety stock policies, and capacity/lead‑time risk mitigation).

• Coordinate rapid response to trade and geopolitical events (tariffs, sanctions, export controls), including supplier communications, contract actions, and cost/availability impact assessments.

• Partner with Logistics, Compliance, and Legal to ensure sourcing decisions align with country‑of‑origin rules, forced‑labor regulations, and restricted‑party screening requirements.

• Build and maintain executive‑ready dashboards summarizing disruption exposure, mitigation status, and projected customer/financial impacts.

Direct Materials Strategy and Execution

• Partner with category managers to develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives and market conditions.

• Identify and implement opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, supplier consolidation, and contract optimization.

• Lead cross‑functional teams through complex sourcing events, supplier transitions, and resiliency initiatives (e.g., dual/multi‑sourcing, nearshoring/reshoring, inventory buffering, and supplier capacity assurance) to strengthen supply continuity and responsiveness.

• Map critical materials and components to identify single points of failure; prioritize mitigation plans for high‑risk items based on customer impact, lead times, and switching costs.

Growth Enablement and Commercial Support

• Support the launch of new sales channels, product lines, and customer programs by ensuring material readiness, supply continuity, and competitive cost structures.

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to identify cross‑sell and up‑sell opportunities enabled by supplier capabilities or alternative materials.

• Evaluate supplier innovations and emerging technologies that can enable new revenue streams or enhance customer value propositions.

• Align procurement strategies with commercial growth plans, pricing strategies, and customer commitments.

Process Improvement and Capability Development

• Enhance procurement processes related to direct materials, including demand planning integration, supplier performance management, risk monitoring, and escalation protocols.

• Drive standardization, documentation, and continuous improvement across sourcing workflows.

• Implement tools, dashboards, and analytics to improve visibility, decision‑making, and operational efficiency.

• Leverage AI and advanced analytics to automate routine procurement work

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison between Procurement and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment on priorities, timelines, and deliverables.

• Facilitate cross‑functional meetings, steering committees, and communication forums to support project execution.

• Promote adoption of new processes, systems, and strategic initiatives across the organization.

Savings and Value Delivery

• Lead enterprise‑level cost‑savings programs, ensuring initiatives are clearly defined, measurable, and validated with Finance.

• Identify new value‑creation opportunities through supplier partnerships, alternative materials, and long‑term strategic agreements.

• Track, analyze, and report savings performance, risk‑reduction outcomes, and operational improvements.

Location Information:

• Hybrid Role (3 days onsite at St. Paul, MN)

• Open to Relocation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• 8 years of procurement or supply‑chain experience, with a focus on direct materials.

• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale strategic programs.

• Experience supporting commercial growth initiatives or partnering with Sales and Product teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of global supply markets, risk management practices, and cost‑modeling methodologies.

• Excellent project‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities.

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment and navigate ambiguity.

• Proficiency with ERP systems, procurement analytics tools, and project‑management software.

• Working knowledge of AI-enabled procurement tools and automation approaches with the ability to apply them responsibly to improve efficiency and decision quality.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking

• Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Program and Project Management

• Supplier Relationship Management

• Change Management

• Business Acumen

• Results Orientation

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Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging
At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA).

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.