Job Information
Kohler Co. VAVE Project Leader in Kohler, Wisconsin
VAVE Project Leader
Work Mode: Hybrid
Location: Kohler, WI
Opportunity
As a VAVE Project leader within the K&B Purchasing team, you will be responsible for identifying, driving, and progressing value analysis and value engineering in the supply base. You will be charged with taking a lead role in implementing a structured approach with a rolling program of activity. You will manage relationships with the global category leaders, vendor relationship managers, engineering, and marketing as well as Sourcing directors for the areas you focus in. A high level of structured creativity and entrepreneurial spirit is required. Reports to VAVE Project Lead
Specific Responsibilities
Lead the strategic sourcing function of VAVE activity in the supply base. Driving analysis events whilst ensuring key stakeholders such as marketing and engineering are fully engaged.
Understand Kohler spend in terms of categories and vendors to enable prioritization of initiatives.
Create a structured program of engagements with vendors.
Identify and prioritize opportunities with suppliers to support savings ideations.
Maintain data on savings initiatives and outputs and use it to drive resolution and completion.
Work with category leaders in your designated areas to ensure alignment of approach, pace and delivery.
Maintain a working knowledge of world-class manufacturing and supply processes to ensure that existing methods are targeted to attain excellence versus industry benchmarks.
Research outside sources for "best practice" to be incorporated into current and/or future product design.
Manage sourcing related risks from any activity in a professional and inclusive manner.
Lead VAVE meetings with Marketing, Program Management Engineering, etc. to reach consensus on sourcing and product strategy, and support effective roll out of best practice.
Regularly report progress status and escalation points.
Required Competencies
Communicates the VAVE vision and goals, creating an atmosphere of open communication. Enables the environment for creativity in a structured setting. Ability to persuade stakeholders of the importance and priority of tasks undertaken. Actively supports change opportunities to maximize personal, departmental and/or company performance and works with other departments to ensure the right priorities are focused on.
Influences relationships, proficient in market and manufacturing research and capable of reacting to the speed of the industry. Recognizes and capitalizes on team dynamics, seeking out both internal and external opportunities for a team environment. Identifies critical relationship building opportunities.
Understanding potential differing needs between Internal & External customers.
Consistently exceed customer expectations by dealing with internal complexities across multi or global organizations in a manner invisible to customers.
Ability to construct, prioritize and manage multi-faceted programs for ideation of savings opportunities and understand the customers’ needs for reporting activity status; Ability to construct value stream (profit margin) industry maps, utilize advanced financial techniques (commodity hedging), and build market comparable cost analysis. Skilled in multi-tier supply chain analysis. Ability to understand spend category strategies with the understanding of interdependences, risks, and impact of strategy by business unit.
Proficient in managing/leading multi-location/global projects with expanded domestic awareness of culture, currency, geography, political and limited international exposure. General understanding of computer network technology & B2B applications including ERP, Analytics, and spreadsheet tools.
Provides solution/alternatives to improvement ideas. Takes initiative to undertake improvement opportunities that are global in scope and complexity, setting strategies for process improvements that impact the work product of the department. Drives one company one process initiatives. Skilled in implementing continuous improvement opportunities within the supply base.
Leads multi-location projects and actively participates and supports both associates and department.
Develops plans and goals for their areas while understanding industry direction and influences that force change. Shares the vision both internally and externally.
Skills/Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in operations, Business or Engineering. Minimum seven years professional experience and five years purchasing or project management experience.
Consumer Goods, Formulation, Fragrance or Packaging industry background is preferred.
Previous SAP experience desirable.
Travel: In region 40%.
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Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
The salary range for this position is $76,050 - $96,050. 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. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.
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 kohlerjobs@kohler.com . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.