About the position

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist role for indirect procurement activity is responsible for supporting enterprise-wide sourcing initiatives across all operating expense (Opex) categories. This role partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and execute sourcing strategies that improve supplier performance, optimize total cost, reduce risk, and enable Patagonia’s business and sustainability goals. We're in business to save our home planet. Operating adjacent to Patagonia’s Procure-to-Pay framework, the Strategic Sourcing Specialist leads competitive sourcing activities end-to-end and applies disciplined, stakeholder first, data-driven sourcing practices while balancing speed, flexibility, and appropriate governance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze spend, demand, and supplier data to identify sourcing opportunities, cost reduction levers, and risk mitigation actions aligned with savings targets.
• Lead RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs including requirements gathering, supplier outreach, evaluation, commercial analysis, and recommendation development.
• Partner with stakeholders and Finance to build business cases and TCO models supporting sourcing decisions.
• Support development and execution of category strategies across indirect spend areas including IT & SaaS, Professional Services, Marketing, Facilities, Travel, HR, and Corporate Services.
• Identify opportunities to improve sourcing processes, tools, and controls across Strategic Sourcing.
• Stay ahead and informed on market trends, benchmarks, and supplier innovations relevant to indirect categories and sustainability priorities.
• Track sourcing pipeline activity, projected savings, and realized financial benefits in coordination with Finance.
• Assist with supplier onboarding, performance tracking, and issue resolution in coordination with Accounts Payable and business owners.
• Ensure executed contracts align with sourcing recommendations and are aligned with Legal team recommendations.
• Support commercial negotiations in partnership with business stakeholders, focusing on enhanced functionality, pricing structures, service levels, risk terms, and long-term value.
• Balance enterprise procurement standards with business agility and stakeholder experience.
• Maintain clear documentation of sourcing activities, decisions, and outcomes.
• Serve as a trusted sourcing advisor to internal partners, providing sage guidance on supplier selection, contracting best practices, and procurement policies.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, buyer, procurement, category management, or related roles.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent additional experience) in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or other related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading RFPs and commercial sourcing initiatives across Opex categories
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset.
• Experience in a global, high-volume, multi-entity retail or consumer goods environment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred).
• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel proficiency in the pursuit of achieving and maintaining operational excellence.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and best practices in vendor management.
• Core Knowledge and Capabilities: Contributes measurable financial, operational, and risk-management impact and outcomes.
• Exercises judgement within established sourcing frameworks and procurement policies.
• Manages multiple sourcing initiatives across diverse indirect categories inclusive of moderate to high complexity.
• Familiarity with fundamental Strategic Sourcing principles and operating through a lens of ethics, integrity, and transparency
• Understanding of how the Strategic Sourcing function supports the broader business and ability to seek information from available sources.
• Proficiency in finance internal controls, including identifying control gaps and recommending improvements.
• Familiarity with finance-related regulatory and legal requirements across relevant geographies.
• Experience participating in change management efforts, implementing new ways of working, and testing improved approaches.
• Ability to analyze data, communicate insights clearly, and create appropriate visual representations.
• Ability to monitor operational and business risks and help develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Experience navigating organizational dynamics, building stakeholder trust, managing conflict, and gaining alignment.
• Strong adaptability to changing business needs, comfort with ambiguity, and iterative ways of working.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in delivering high-quality results.
• Ability to set goals, facilitate collaboration, and hold teams accountable to shared outcomes.
• Influences sourcing outcomes through data, recommendations, and stakeholder collaboration

Nice-to-haves

• Direct experience in a multi-channel, consumer products business is preferred

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans.