Associate Sourcing Manager

The Associate Sourcing Manager supports departmental supplier sourcing goals and leads the e-sourcing process. They leverage commodity market expertise to secure optimal SKU value and cost protections while expanding Dollar Tree’s supplier base through strategic relationships. This role drives sourcing initiatives, negotiates cost savings, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to address challenges in costing, SKU specifications, and supplier management.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

Supplier Sourcing & Negotiation:

• Identify, validate, and pipeline new suppliers to diversify supplier base and deliver annual cost savings.
• Develop negotiation strategies, analyze cost proposals (raw materials, labor, overhead, etc.), and execute fact-based rebuttals.
• Manage supplier meetings to develop and strengthen the supplier matrix.

E-Sourcing & Auction Management:

• Oversee the e-sourcing/auction process, including RFI/RFP projects, SKU specification validation, and supplier communication.
• Evaluate total proposal value (cost, qualifications, freight, etc.) to determine the best course of action.

Commodity & Market Analysis:

• Research resin, energy, metal, meat, and agriculture commodities to provide actionable market insights
• Track and report on margin/value improvement project impacts.
• Validate, conduct, and support merchant comparable shop to identify white space opportunities and advise existing SKU specification enhancement to merchant teams.
• Work with cost transparency team to diagnose commodity-driven cost components of SKUs.

Supplier & Category Management:

• Develop and maintain a qualified supplier matrix for assigned commodities.
• Ensure products meet quality, cost, and brand standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with merchandising, supply chain, and other teams to align sourcing strategies.
• Drive cost-increase rebuttal analyses using market indexing and data-driven reporting.
• Other strategic sourcing projects as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• Proven negotiation skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical ability to interpret complex data and commodity trends.
• Experience in supplier assessment and selection.
• Skilled in project management, critical thinking, and decision-making.
• Ability to mentor peers and adapt to changing priorities.
• Expertise in commodity research, product manufacturing understanding and cost-structure analysis (raw materials, labor, etc.).

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (BA / BS / BFA) or equivalent experience, MBA preferred.
• Experience: 6+ years of corporate retail experience in Inventory Management, Merchandising, Planning, and/or Global Sourcing
• Software: High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint). Advanced to expert experience with excel is preferred. Comfort with utilizing e-sourcing tools and reporting solutions (micro strategy, business objects, etc.