The Procurement Manager job is a new position and an opportunity to play a large role in transforming the Procurement function within UniFirst as part of a larger Supply Chain transformation initiative. This position will report directly to the Head of Procurement and will be responsible for managing procurement professional(s) as the team continues to grow.

The Procurement Manager is responsible for strategic sourcing and procurement activities for products sold to our Customers and used by UniFirst plant processing facilities. This role requires the use of initiative and independent judgement, while working effectively with multiple stakeholders across several corporate functions and field service locations. Specific categories managed will include items both For-Resale and Not-For-Resale, such as:

• Paper products including paper hand towels and bath tissue


• Jan/San supplies including hand soap, sanitizer, and air fresheners


• Safety items/PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)


• Storage lockers


• Bagging equipment and supplies


• Carts and hampers


• MRO supplies (Maintenance, Repair, Operations)


• Barcode printers


• Hangers for garments


• Other responsibilities as assigned

The Procurement Manager will be expected to develop a holistic category management approach for these supply items that will include the following elements:

• Perform spend analytics


• Conduct product/industry research and maintain in depth knowledge of relevant commodities markets (e.g. pulp and paper, resins, etc.)


• Evaluate UniFirst's buying power relative to our Supplier's power


• Assess the needs of our customers and UniFirst stakeholders


• Develop RFIs to qualify vendors, and develop RFPs that aid in price discovery and vendor selection


• Negotiate all terms and conditions of supply


• Use price escalator/de-escalator clauses where appropriate to maintain UniFirst's market price competitiveness


• Draft and implement national account supply agreements with input from Legal and stakeholders


• Facilitate implementation of new agreements and onboarding of new suppliers


• Provide ongoing Supplier Relationship Management in conjunction with the relevant UniFirst Stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Ensure field and vendor compliance to assigned category agreements


• Solicit and qualify potential new vendors for assigned categories


• Direct customer satisfaction survey deployments to UniFirst locations


• Negotiate terms for pricing agreements


• Responsible for the completion of all RFP analyses and associated recommendations


• Establish and monitor relevant Key Performance Indicator (KPI) metrics for supplier reporting


• Perform on-site quarterly business reviews with vendors to review performance and industry changes


• Monitor raw material price indexes routinely to identify market trends that could impact UniFirst pricing with supplier base


• Promptly respond to field location product inquiries


• Process vendor invoices as needed


• Provide product allocations to the field


• Attend industry trade shows to accumulate greater supply market intelligence


• Travel to UniFirst locations to evaluate the application of supplier products in-service


• Routinely validate and update corporate intranet site for assigned categories information


• Conduct spend analytics using ERP systems and vendor usage reports


• Collaborate with Legal team to draft and execute agreements


• Act as direct manager for procurement professional(s)

Reporting to Management

• Cost savings, cost avoidance and performance improvements


• Current sourcing initiative schedules


• Opportunities for increasing supplier diversity, rationalizating suppliers and SKUs


• Monthly Purchase Price Variance reporting


• Vendor usage and trend analysis

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of Strategic Sourcing and/or Buying experience


• Apparel, consumer products, or industrial supply experience is a plus

Education

• Bachelor's Degree


• CPM or CPSM preferred

Additional Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with the capability to use Excel to analyze large data sets


• Experience with an ERP system and eProcurement suite such as Oracle or SAP


• Excellent communication and presentation skills


• Negotiating skills


• Demonstrated ability to accomplish KPI goals and facilitate continuous improvement


• Strong time-management, and problem-solving skills


• Ability to travel as required

401k with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Direct Payroll Deposit, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses

About UniFirst


The fabric of UniFirst is woven from its very unique family culture where our Team Partners enjoy a small company feel while taking advantage of the resources and stability that come with being a nearly 2-billion-dollar organization.


UniFirst is an international leader in the $18 billion-dollar garment services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine's "Best Companies to Sell For" list and recognized on Forbes magazine's "Platinum 400 - Best Big Companies" list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there's never been a better time to join our team.

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws

UniFirst is an equal employment/affirmative action
employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process
because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to TalentAcquisition@unifirst.com or
call (978) 658-8888 to let us know the nature of your request.