VP Procurement

Overview

The Vice President of Procurement & Strategic Sourcing will drive procurement initiatives for a private equity-backed dental services organization. This executive role is responsible for driving significant cost efficiencies and measurable savings across all procurement activities while maintaining high quality and service levels. The VP will develop and execute innovative sourcing strategies, implement best-in-class systems and processes, build a robust vendor management program, and integrate technology and sustainability practices. Success requires strategic vision, bias for action, process oriented, data-driven thinker and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Cost Savings & Efficiency: Drive cost optimization across all spend categories, identifying measurable savings and efficiency improvements. Lead contract negotiations and spend analysis to achieve optimal total cost of ownership.
• Vendor Management Program: Develop and manage a structured vendor management framework to ensure supplier performance and mitigate risks. Oversee the vendor lifecycle from selection through performance reviews, establishing clear metrics (KPIs).
• Systems & Process Implementation: Improve and stabilize procurement processes through advanced technology and automation. Lead procurement system implementation and standardize workflows to ensure transparency, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Supplier Diversity and Sustainability: Develop initiatives to promote supplier diversity and implement sustainable procurement practices, aligning with corporate social responsibility objectives.
• Risk Management: Establish and oversee a comprehensive procurement risk management framework to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain disruptions and compliance risks.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Finance, IT, Legal, Compliance, and Operations teams, ensuring procurement strategies align with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Lead cross-functional initiatives to drive procurement excellence.
• Strategic Vision & Continuous Improvement: Provide strategic direction for procurement, leveraging market insights and industry trends to continuously enhance sourcing strategies, improve service levels, and foster innovation.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team, fostering accountability, innovation, and professional growth aligned with organizational objectives.
• Healthcare/Dental Industry Focus: Tailor procurement strategies to the unique requirements of dental and healthcare supply chains, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Maintain strong relationships within the dental supply market and related industry associations

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field (Master's preferred). Minimum 8 years of progressive procurement and strategic sourcing experience, ideally in multi-site healthcare or dental practice environments.
• Procurement Expertise: Proven track record of significant cost savings, strong negotiation skills, and successful implementation of procurement systems and process improvements.
• Vendor Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to establish and manage effective vendor management programs, performance tracking systems, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Technology Proficiency: Experience leveraging procurement software solutions, ERP systems, and advanced data analytics tools to drive efficiency and informed decision-making.
• Risk & Change Management: Experience managing procurement-related risks and driving change management initiatives, transforming procurement functions strategically and operationally.
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Strong strategic vision combined with analytical rigor; ability to analyze spend data, market trends, and develop innovative procurement strategies.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Exceptional ability to collaborate and influence across diverse internal stakeholder groups, clearly communicating procurement's value proposition and driving alignment on strategic initiatives.

Personal Attributes

• Strong ethical standards and integrity
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Superior communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to continuous professional and organizational improvement