Manager, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement

ABOUT LCI The mission of LCI is to provide meaningful employment for the blind and visually impaired. We accomplish this in four ways: EMPLOY: We are one of the largest employers of people who are blind, creating meaningful careers and lasting skills that transform their lives. BUILD: We create over 2,000 products and distribute thousands more through manufacturing, retail, nationwide distribution, and e-commerce channels. SERVE: Many of our products are sold directly to the federal government. We were pioneers of “base supply centers,” stores on military bases that employ the blind and visually impaired and provide mission-critical supplies to our nation’s military. SUPPORT: We want to end blindness forever. To that end, we engage in philanthropic efforts for research into blindness and treatment for the visually impaired. ABOUT THIS ROLE The Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Procurement supports the Director, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement in executing enterprise sourcing strategies, optimizing procurement operations, and ensuring supply continuity across all business lines. This role provides hands on leadership for daily sourcing activity, supplier coordination, inventory controls, distribution center replenishment, pricing execution, and data accuracy. This position plays a critical role in supporting LCI’s mission and AbilityOne Program responsibilities by ensuring compliant, ethical, and efficient sourcing practices that sustain meaningful employment for people who are blind or visually impaired. LOCATION AND SCHEDULE Durham, NC- Hybrid Monday-Friday 7:30 AM – 4 PM Minimal travel required, expected to participate in specialized courses to benefit purchasing. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES In coordination with the Director of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement: Sourcing & Procurement Execution Execute category strategies and sourcing plans established by the Director. Manage procurement of raw materials, components and services for all manufacturing locations. Support total cost of ownership (TCO) activities, cost modeling and continuous improvement initiatives. Ensure purchase orders, contracts and compliance documentation meet internal and AbilityOne requirements. Supplier Coordination & Risk Management Maintain strong working relationships with suppliers to ensure consistent delivery, pricing accuracy and quality performance. Support supplier negotiations, renewals and commercial agreements. Monitor supplier performance metrics, delivery adherence and risk indicators. Ensure suppliers meet regulatory, ethical and AbilityOne Program compliance standards. Distribution Center Replenishment & Inventory Performance Oversee replenishment planning and purchasing activities that support LCI’s distribution centers and retail channels. Establish and maintain minimum/maximum inventory levels for key categories. Track, report and improve in‑stock percentage, ensuring product availability supports customer service goals and AbilityOne contract requirements. Partner with Operations Teams to resolve stock gaps, backorders and supply interruptions. Pricing, Revenue Support & Market Insights Maintain accurate pricing structures across manufacturing, distribution, retail and government channels. Analyze proposed discounts and promotions to assess revenue and margin impact. Develop revenue forecasts for assigned categories and communicate variance trends. Monitor market trends and competitive data; share insights with leadership to support strategic adjustments. Data, Systems & Reporting Ensure data integrity across item master records, pricing files, supplier data and procurement system fields. Manage reporting for spend, inventory, pricing, savings and supplier scorecards. Support ERP utilization, procurement workflows and digital tools that improve operational visibility. Communicate product adds, changes and deletions to internal teams and stakeholders. Leadership & Collaboration Provide direction, training and oversight to procurement team members. Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Finance, IT, Sales and Market Development. Promote standardization, accuracy, documentation and continuous improvement within procurement processes. Support the Director and leadership team with special initiatives and operational enhancements. Compliance, Safety & Quality Ensure all required Material Safety Data documentation and supplier certifications are current. Support internal controls, audits and operational compliance efforts. Uphold AbilityOne Program standards and ensure sourcing practices support program objectives and employment commitments. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, related field or equivalent experience. Seven years progressive sourcing or procurement experience; three years of leadership or supervisory experience Must have knowledge of mainframe and personal computers. Must be an effective negotiator with a background involving various financial arrangements. Experience with manufacturing and distribution environments preferred. Strong understanding of pricing models, cost structures, and margin analysis. Proficiency in Excel; experience with Access, Power BI, and ERP systems preferred. Ability to read and interpret contracts, agreements and program guidelines, AbilityOne experience a plus. Strong communication, collaboration and problem solving skills. Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities. Must be able to establish and maintain rapport with all co-workers and vendors. Why LCI? Purpose-driven company driven by principles, not profit Reach your highest potential: upward mobility, rewarded through hard work Competitive salary and compensation Basic Life Insurance at no cost to the employee 401(k) with match and Surplus-Sharing Plans Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Ten paid holidays annually Paid Time Off (PTO) On-site Health and Wellness program Employee Assistance Program (EAP)