Sr. Project Leader, Strategic Sourcing Insights
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Onsite, four days per week - Kohler, WI
Opportunity
As an Insights Project Leader in K&B Strategic Sourcing, you will run a structured program to identify and drive value creation and savings opportunities across Kohler’s indirect and direct spend (approximately $2.5B). Acting as an internal consultant, you will analyze spend, products, suppliers, and end-to-end value drivers to size opportunities, influence prioritization, and enable execution through influencing category, engineering, operations and purchasing teams. You will present recommendations to senior leaders, facilitate plant and supplier workshops (including VAVE), and partner cross-functionally (e.g., Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain) to deliver results.
Specific Responsibilities
- Serve as an internal consultant to identify, shape, and drive value creation initiatives that reduce total cost and improve end-to-end supply chain performance.
- Analyze enterprise spend, products, supplier landscape, and supply chain cost drivers to identify and prioritize initiatives across approximately $2.5B indirect and direct spend.
- Drive savings/value creation by influencing and enabling execution through category leaders and purchasing teams; this role does not own spend but drives opportunities from identification through realization.
- Conduct advanced purchasing/spend analytics (including segmentation, supplier consolidation, specification/logistics/process opportunities) and use AI-enabled tools to automate repeatable work and accelerate insight generation and tracking.
- Plan and facilitate plant and supplier workshops, including VAVE and cost-reduction ideation sessions, partnering closely with Engineering and cross-functional teams to convert ideas into actions.
- Prepare and deliver clear, executive-ready recommendations and regular progress updates to senior leadership; drive alignment, decisions, and escalation as needed.
- Build strong relationships with purchasing managers, category leaders, and sourcing directors to align priorities, remove barriers, and sustain pace of delivery.
- Maintain opportunity pipeline, business cases, and realized savings tracking; ensure governance, documentation, and clear handoffs to execution owners.
- Manage sourcing-related risks and incorporate relevant external benchmarks and best practices into sourcing and supply chain recommendations.
- Support and lead additional Strategic Sourcing / SOEx improvement programs (capability, process, standard work) as prioritized by leadership.
- Operate effectively in a global team, including some flexibility for morning/evening calls across time zones and occasional travel (~40%).
- Identifying and aiding implementation of standard work practices.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Interpersonal
- Persuades and influences stakeholders (including senior leaders) to prioritize and execute value creation initiatives.
- Communicates clearly; builds trust and cross-functional alignment; facilitates workshops and discussions effectively.
- Supports change; identifies and builds critical internal and external relationships.
Business / Technology
- Understands internal/external customer needs and navigates complexity across a multi-site/global organization.
- Builds structured programs for opportunity ideation, prioritization, and reporting/governance.
- Applies supply chain and cost-driver analysis (e.g., multi-tier supply chains, market/benchmark research, cost modeling/should-cost inputs).
- Strong working knowledge of ERP and analytics tools (Excel/BI); comfortable applying AI tools to improve efficiency.
Managerial
- Leads cross-functional, multi-location initiatives with clear plans, goals, and governance. Understands industry direction, anticipates change, and communicates a compelling vision internally and externally.
Skills/Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in operations, Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering (Master’s preferred).
- Mid-senior level role: 5+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, procurement analytics, consulting, and/or cross-functional program leadership.
- Advanced analytics capability (ERP/spend data, Excel/BI) and strong influencing/communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership and facilitating cross-functional workshops (incl. VAVE).
- Experience with SAP and/or other ERP systems preferred; proficiency with analytics/visualization tools and practical use of AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and insight quality.
- Travel: In region ~40% based on project needs
#LI-SW1
#LI-Onsite
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $94,350 - $145,350. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
