Sr Director, Supplier Development

About the role

This role can be based remotely in the United States. We help global brands place their exceptional people anywhere in the world through People-first Mobility—grounded in truth, love, and integrity. The Senior Director, Supplier Development provides overall leadership for supplier partner performance, category strategy, governance alignment, and globally consistent category delivery across assigned categories and the Graebel Partner Alliance. The role has direct leadership accountability for the Supplier Development team, determines resource allocation within budget and headcount targets, and escalates enterprise-level strategic, commercial, or policy matters to the Vice or Senior Vice President, Supplier Development as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Regularly engage senior leaders, functional stakeholders, supplier partners, and client-facing teams to align supplier development strategy, share expertise, and build trust across regions and functions.
• Ensure overall customer delivery and satisfaction across the Supplier Development function, anticipate future customer and business needs, and translate those needs into supplier partner and category strategies.
• Exercise independent judgement and original thinking to determine solutions, set precedents, influence policy, and deliver outcomes with short- and long-term organizational impact.
• Provide formal leadership of the Supplier Development function, integrate plans, strategies, and resources, and build an organizational structure aligned to Graebel’s strategic and operational plans.
• Oversee management of global and regional Supplier Development team members, including regular engagement with internal and external stakeholders on supplier partner and category-related matters.
• Establish and regularly review supplier development and category strategies across categories, ensuring alignment with Graebel Governance, supplier partner principles, and network size targets.
• Develop and support strategic and tactical messaging and training for stakeholders across categories, including insight and guidance on supplier review recommendations and process or service model changes.
• Partner with Global and Regional Supplier Development colleagues, Procurement, and Governance teams to plan and execute global sourcing initiatives across categories, including standards and selection criteria for supplier partners.
• Support price negotiations and contracting with key supplier partners across categories.
• Develop supplier performance scorecards and prepare and present annual, bi-annual, or quarterly supplier reviews for key supplier partners.
• Liaise with key stakeholders to identify new opportunities, products, and category solutions that expand Graebel’s portfolio and drive revenue.
• Develop business plans for new products or services and work with Global Supplier Development Managers on implementation and introduction.
• Deliver service excellence across the Graebel Partner Alliance, with a focus on supplier partner usage, stronger partnerships, and referral revenue.
• Support accounting and finance functions with referral revenue identification and collection, including active supplier partner communications where required.
• Set and manage goals and objectives for the Supplier Development team and ensure compliance with Graebel policies, procedures, and standards.
• Monitor Supplier Development team performance against agreed goals and objectives and respond proactively to deviations.
• Develop processes and procedures within Supplier Development that maximize productivity, strengthen communication, improve efficiency, and support consistent regional execution.
• Build and manage, at a global strategic level, strong relationships and communication protocols with key Graebel stakeholders, including visits to regional offices or teams as needed.
• Lead the team through mentoring, training, and sharing of best practice to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Lead improved education for Strategic Supplier Solutions teams globally and serve as a resource for problem resolution, training, and team building.
• Act as a credible supplier development and category management expert for the business and represent Graebel at industry conferences, client meetings, and prospect presentations.
• Optimize and up-sell supplier partner products and category solutions, maximizing network usage and referral revenue while identifying and developing future products and category solutions.
• Support Strategic Supplier Solutions and Client Development with RFPs, RFIs, re-bids, and re-negotiations to retain existing client business.
• Support and actively manage Supplier Development financials, including team budgets and headcount.
• Act as the primary contact and subject matter expert for supplier development projects, existing products and category solutions, supplier partner initiatives, trends, and future solutions.

Requirements

• University or college degree, or equivalent work experience required. A degree in business, communications, human resources, or a related field preferred.
• Advanced ability in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Native or fluent level of English; proficiency in additional languages preferred as this role will be working with multilingual teams.
• Expertise in anticipating concerns or issues and proactively raising them for resolution.
• Ability to clearly and effectively articulate complex situations and influence senior stakeholders.
• Creative, forward-thinking problem solver capable of taking intelligent risks.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to develop technical business correspondence and executive-level presentations.
• Business and financial acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to work with minimal direction and prioritize commitments and projects within a fast-paced environment.
• Clear aptitude to lead supplier partner performance, drive solutions, and deliver results.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to operate across regions and time zones.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in the mobility industry, supplier services, procurement, customer service, or a similar industry, with at least five years in supply chain, category management, supplier development, or procurement.
• 3+ years’ experience in people management.
• 3+ years’ experience of Strategic Supplier Solutions, client relationship management, or senior stakeholder management.
• Proven track record of understanding global and US domestic relocation, escalation management, and high-touch supplier partner delivery.
• Extensive experience developing, implementing, and executing strategic plans.
• Extensive knowledge of supplier performance management, category management, procurement, governance, and supplier development strategies.
• Experience and proven track record of developing strong relationships and building trust with senior stakeholders across multiple global functions and with key corporate clients.
• Mastery of mobility dynamics, including competitors, customers, legal, procurement and regulatory frameworks, supplier partner models, Graebel policies, processes, and procedures.
• Preferred: CIPS or other supply chain management certification(s).
• Preferred: CRP or GMS certification.
• 5+ years’ experience in people management is preferred.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $165,000 to $175,000 USD, based on several factors including experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off that grows with years of service
• Paid holidays
• Volunteer paid time off
• Life insurance and disability coverage