Lead Sourcing Consultant

What You'll Do

We’re looking for a Lead Sourcing Consultant who brings strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a drive to deliver meaningful business outcomes. You’ll partner closely with business leaders and internal stakeholders to shape sourcing strategies, lead complex initiatives, and identify opportunities to drive efficiency, innovation, and value.

What You’ll Do

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives aligned to business priorities, partnering with stakeholders to define and deliver results
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support enterprise goals, balancing cost, risk, and value
• Manage relationships with key business partners, serving as a trusted advisor and primary liaison to sourcing
• Leverage strong sourcing fundamentals by leveraging market insights, supplier strategies, and best practices
• Drive measurable outcomes, including cost savings, process improvements, and supplier performance
• Leverage technology and AI tools to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and optimize sourcing processes
• Lead and support RFPs, supplier selection, and contract negotiations for complex engagements
• Partner with suppliers and stakeholders to define performance expectations, including KPIs and SLAs
• Influence and guide stakeholders through competing priorities and complex decisions
• Identify opportunities to elevate team capabilities, including training, process improvements, and adoption of new tools or practices
• Mentor team members and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement

Who You Are

• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, or procurement
• Strong sourcing fundamentals with the ability to apply best practices across multiple areas
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and connect sourcing activities to business outcomes
• Proven success delivering results through complex negotiations and cross-functional collaboration
• High level of comfort with technology and AI tools, with a mindset toward improving efficiency and processes
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate trade-offs and build compelling business cases
• Skilled at influencing stakeholders and navigating competing priorities
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization
• Able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and make data-driven decisions

What Sets You Apart

• A builder mindset; you’re energized by improving processes and strengthening team capabilities
• Curiosity and adaptability to support a variety of sourcing needs
• Passion for using data, insights, and emerging tools, including AI, to drive better outcomes
• A collaborative approach; you bring others along, challenge thinking, and elevate the work

Why Join Us

• This is an opportunity to shape how we work while growing your own skills and influence
• At Principal, you’ll be part of a sourcing organization that is evolving, embracing innovation, strengthening capabilities, and delivering real impact across the enterprise
• Salary Range Information: Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance
• Location: This role will be located in our Des Moines, IA or Charlotte, NC offices and will benefit from a hybrid work arrangement, blending at least three office days in a typical workweek
• Work Authorization/Sponsorship: At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links
• Investment Code of Ethics: For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization
• Experience: Principal At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being