Project Manager, Supply Chain - Supplier Enablement, Engagement, and Development

Overview

The Project Manager, Supplier Enablement, Engagement, and Development (SEED), is responsible for advancing the Companys strategy to enable, engage, and develop small businesses within the Companys Supply Chain who can support our internal customer and procurement team sourcing needs, as well as contribute to the economic vitality of the communities we serve. The Project Manager will design, implement, and scale innovative programs that enhance supplier readiness, expand participation, and improve access to procurement opportunities. This includes building a robust ecosystem of internal and external partnerships, collaborating with procurement professionals, leveraging data driven insights, and ensuring best in class governance and reporting of an evolving Business Diversity ecosystem.

This role requires a strategic mindset, strong cross functional collaboration, and the ability to translate business goals into actionable inclusion strategies that deliver measurable impact. This role requires strong collaboration and trusted partnership across Supply Chain teams to align inclusion strategies with sourcing priorities, operational needs, and enterprise objectives.

This position does not provide employment pursuant to the terms of a STEM OPT Training Plan.

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic inclusion of small suppliers across sourcing activities, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities, risk management, and operational needs.
• Design and implement scalable programs that support supplier readiness, development, and long term growth within the Companys supply chain ecosystem.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of qualified small suppliers aligned to key spend categories and future business needs.
• Leverage data analytics and digital tools (e.g., Oracle, Power BI) to track supplier participation, identify gaps, and inform strategic decision making. Establish and maintain best in class reporting frameworks for Tier 1 and Tier 2 small business participation, ensuring data integrity and transparency.
• Lead supplier engagement initiatives including workshops, matchmaking sessions, and capability building programs to enhance supplier competitiveness. Develop and implement internal small business inclusion awareness and education programs enterprise wide.
• Support the development of forecasting methodologies aligned with overall supply chain planning to drive realistic and achievable small business participation goals.
• Collaborate with business owners, and other key stakeholders (Chambers of Commerce, CDFIs, Certifying Agencies, etc.) to expand outreach and strengthen the supplier ecosystem.
• Monitor supplier performance, capacity, and risk factors to ensure alignment with operational, safety, and compliance standards.
• Foster and advance an inclusive, collaborative, and partnership driven environment by working closely with Supply Chain teams and key stakeholders to align priorities, share best practices, and drive collective ownership of the Companys economic impact.
• Develop and deliver executive level reporting and representations that communicate small business inclusion performance, insights, and business value, including representing the Company at industry events, conferences, and small business advocacy forums.
• Ensure program integrity and alignment by supporting compliance with applicable regulatory and internal requirements and conducting evaluations of potential suppliers, including site visits and assessments of financial viability, capacity, and suitability.
• Advance SEED strategy through active engagement and contribution, including participation on supplier advocacy boards, planning committees, mentoring initiatives, and performing additional assignments aligned with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 8 years of full time related business work experience or
• Master's Degree and minimum 6 years of full time related business work experience

• 3-5 years relevant work experience in procurement, financial analysis/accounting, supplier inclusion or a related field, required.
• 3-5 years experience building or managing small business inclusion, supplier development, or economic inclusion programs within a corporate or public sector environment, required.
• Working knowledge of MS Office products, including Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint, required.
• Proficient in the use of excel related tasks for data analysis and data management, required.
• Strong project management skills with an ability to manage competing priorities and still meet critical timelines, required.
• Demonstrate ability to use creative thinking to analyze data, summarize trends, and exercise independent judgment to render sound business decisions, required.
• Strong communication skills (written/verbal) and have proficiency creating PowerPoint presentations, required.
• Able to interact with all levels of the enterprise and cultivate positive external relationships with key stakeholders, required.
• Experience in developing and implementing process improvements, required.
• Demonstrate ability to translate data into actionable insights and influence business decisions, required.
• Experience working with cross functional stakeholders including procurement, legal, finance, sustainability, and risk management teams, required.
• Strong understanding of supply chain operations, sourcing strategies, and supplier lifecycle management, preferred.
• Knowledge of supplier risk, compliance, and readiness considerations (e.g., capacity, financial viability, insurance, safety requirements), preferred.
• Experience developing and executing supplier engagement strategies, including training, workshops, and ecosystem partnerships, preferred.
• Ability to manage change in a dynamic regulatory and business environment, preferred.
• Advanced Supplier Relationship Management, preferred.

• Demonstrated analytical skills
• Ability to build strong customer relationships
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Develops and delivers effective presentations
• Proactively approaches responsibilities
• Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, etc.
• Project Demonstrated project management skills

• Driver's License Required
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Preferred

• The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Able and willing to travel within and outside of Company service territory, as needed.
• Responsible for travel to various company and supplier locations; some of which may require overnight travel.
• Available to perform off-hour emergency functions, some of which may require working extended or non-traditional hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Able to respond to Company emergencies by performing a System Emergency Assignment to restore service to our customers.