Category sourcing manager, Indirect Sourcing

Overview

Now Brewing – category sourcing manager - Indirect Sourcing #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection.

This job contributes to Starbucks success by being leading strategic sourcing for logistics related categories (e.g. domestic transportation, ocean freight, warehousing etc.). This position will work closely with key business stakeholders to develop and implement effective strategies plans delivering value creation, elevated service, and supplier performance.

Job Location: We believe we do our best work when we’re together. Our workplace expectation is four days in the office with common days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This position is onsite at our Seattle, WA headquarters (SSC) four days per week, with Fridays eligible for remote work.

• Shaping the Business — Strategy Architect:
  Leads key, complex sourcing initiatives that require broad sourcing subject matter expertise across both direct and indirect categories. Applies deep knowledge and sourcing experience to unique situations and opportunities for the business. Provides consultative sourcing support and thought leadership across the sourcing organization, drawing upon experience from direct and indirect sourcing.
• Drive Value — Value Architect:
  Leverages best practices and structured problem solving to break down complex problems, identify solutions and align business to recommendations. Seeks innovative approaches to reshape how the business thinks about the future. Reengineers current processes from foundational state to future vision state. Employs expert knowledge of market dynamics to identify risk and opportunity.
• Protect Supply and Reduce Risk —
  Contract Architect
  :
  Leverages knowledge of legal terms and contracting best practices to develop, architect, and negotiate complex deal structures. Maintains supplier and stakeholder alignment with business and legal requirements, ensuring deliverables, costs, risks, and commitments are understood and managed.
• Risk Management
  :
  Lead initiatives to enhance protection of the organization by identifying, assessing, and mitigating supplier and supply chain risk, including ethical sourcing, capacity, supplier financial, margin, and other identified risks. Balance risk and certainty.

• Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, engineering or related fields preferred.
  • 10+ years of sourcing experience preferred.
• Skills (minimum)
  • Sourcing Foundations:
    Knowledge of procurement processes, category strategies, supplier relationship management, risk management, RFXs, market analysis, should-cost models, and standard legal protections (confidentiality agreements). Shares knowledge to help other sourcing partners succeed.
  • Problem Solving & Business Acumen:
    Proactively identifies and addresses problems; understands different business situations and sets plans to achieve execution.
  • Teamwork:
    Influences across peer groups and management levels on complex strategy.
  • Project Management:
    Ability to manage complex initiatives and execute plans.
  • Emotional Intelligence & Influence:
    Leads in ambiguous environments; adapts style to strategy and stakeholders.
  • Communications:
    Clear verbal, written, and visual communication; effectively presents to cross-functional stakeholders and senior management.
  • Intellectual Curiosity:
    Seeks external benchmarking and learning, shares findings with peers.
  • Other:
    Intermediate to Master in MS Office (Excel pivot tables, complex formulas), and familiarity with BI tools or ERP systems (e.g., Oracle ERS, SAP Ariba, Power BI, Tableau).
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Emotional Intelligence & Influence:
    Anticipate perspectives and respond to change with intentional adoption.
  • Communications & Business Acumen:
    Storyteller with answer-first approach.

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, parental leave, vacation, holidays, and other benefits. The company offers a 401(k) with employer match, stock programs, and…