Director, Indirect Procurement

Responsible for providing enterprise wide leadership for AutoZone’s indirect procurement function, including the development and execution of procurement strategy, policies, and best practices designed to optimize third party spend. The Director, Indirect Procurement leads sourcing, negotiation, RFx events and auctions (for both merchandise categories and indirect spending), and contract management activities across the organization, while driving procurement transformation initiatives focused on elevating capabilities, strengthening governance, and modernizing processes and tools.

• Develop and execute enterprise procurement strategies, including policies, governance frameworks, and best practices to optimize spending, improve compliance, reduce vendor complexity, improve commercial outcomes and enhance value creation across the organization 
• Lead procurement transformation initiatives, including process redesign, capability development, and adoption of best in class sourcing and contract management practices 
• Provide strategic sourcing and negotiation leadership for complex, high impact initiatives across various functional areas, serving as a centralized procurement resource 
  • Apply advanced sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management techniques to deliver measurable financial and operational benefits 
  • Drive supplier negotiations, including commercial terms, professional services agreements, confidentiality agreements, and master service agreements 
  • Conduct and oversee spend analysis to identify sourcing opportunities and inform category and negotiation strategies 
• Collaborate across Finance, Legal, and functional areas to identify, evaluate, and execute opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, and supplier consolidation 
  • Promote enterprise payment terms and working capital optimization initiatives, including adoption of approved payment programs 
  • Support enterprise cost management initiatives, including cross functional projects (e.g., PITT Crew and similar initiatives), in partnership with Financial Planning and Analysis 
  • Serve as liaison with external auditors and procurement partners to identify and recover savings related to non compliant vendor agreements 
• Lead a multi national team of procurement professionals supporting RFx events, reverse and forward auctions, liquidations, and contract management activities 
  • Oversee training and enablement for suppliers and internal stakeholders on RFx tools, procurement processes, and contract governance
• Represent AutoZone in external procurement forums, industry events, and professional networks to enhance organizational capability and market intelligence 
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by executive leadership

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-national team promoting the strategic direction of AutoZone’s business via various negotiation and management tools for RFx events, Reverse auctions, Forward auctions, Liquidations and Contract management.  

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent combination of education and experience required.  MBA or other advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement and/or supply chain management, including both direct and indirect spending categories 
• 5+ years of leadership experience, including leading teams through change and transformation initiatives 
• Demonstrated success leading indirect procurement efforts for large, multi location organizations, including development and execution of sourcing strategies that drive measurable financial and operational outcomes.  Experience in a Fortune 500 or similarly complex, multi location organization preferred
• Proven expertise in procurement process transformation, including implementation of best practices, governance models, and procurement technologies to improve efficiency, compliance, and value creation 
• Experience partnering with Finance, Operations, Legal, and functional leaders to support enterprise wide cost reduction, cost avoidance, and supplier optimization initiatives

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Certified Project Master (CPM), preferred but not required.

Functional Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong change management leadership capabilities, able to influence across functions and levels of the organization 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts clearly to executive and senior leadership audiences
• Advanced negotiation and analytical skills, including contract structuring, financial analysis, and total cost of ownership evaluation 
• Demonstrated supplier management abilities and a successful track record on sourcing.  Prefer applied knowledge of internet/reverse auctions setup, execution, and problem solving
• Strong stakeholder management abilities, with a demonstrated track record of building trust and alignment across diverse functional teams 
• Ability to lead and inspire teams through transformation while maintaining accountability for results 
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic priorities with hands on execution