YETI Coolers:
Procurement Lead Job in Austin, VT

At YETI, we believe that time spent outdoors matters more than ever and our gear can make that time extraordinary. When you work here, you’ll have the opportunity to create exceptional, meaningful work and problem solve with innovative team members by your side. Together, you’ll help our customers get the high-quality gear they need to make the most of their adventures. We are built for the wild.
 
You see challenges as opportunities, you have a keen eye for detail, and you bring a wealth of Global Sourcing and Supplier Development experience to the table. You can demonstrate the successful development of global suppliers around new or existing products or components as well as discuss in detail the journey taken to launch these suppliers. When talking about procurement and the ability to bring in new suppliers and maintain vendor relationships, you are the subject-matter expert. You can demonstrate the ability to lead dual or multi-sourcing strategies across a global sourcing footprint that also supports high quality product and packaging requirements. You are a team player but also have the ability to step in and coach when needed as you enjoy the teaching aspects of the role as well. With your ability to locate and develop new sources for our product requirements, you support the YETI brand promise directly along with the overall quality and supply chain requirements of the business.
 
The Procurement Lead will be responsible for the identification of new suppliers and maintenance of existing suppliers in support of YETI Coolers Core and Gear / Accessories product lines as well as the capacity creation and supplier startup requirements needed to support the launch, scalability and quality and marketing requirements for the product line.  This role will require extensive travel, both domestic and international.
 
Responsibilities:
New Product Sourcing
Locate supplier(s) with proven expertise in required fields to support the development of innovative products or support dual sourcing requirements
Ensure the supplier(s) capabilities and process capabilities using quality, cost-effective and obtainable raw materials to meet the needs established by New Product Development, Marketing and Quality requirements of YETI Coolers
Work alongside of New Product Development, Quality and Marketing teams to create initial product requirements
Research, establish and maintain and up to date list of best in class potential suppliers
Travel to new supplier candidates to verify their capabilities and initialize further investigation by the broader support team
Troubleshoot with Quality and Manufacturing Process Engineering on root cause identification and resolution
Utilize and assist the Asia Procurement Team as needed
Coordinate the qualification of potential suppliers
If not on file already, execute an NDA/Confidentiality Agreement with potential supplier(s) prior to submitting RFP
Submit, receive, and validate Supplier Survey (with assistance of Quality and the Asia Team) along with the Supplier Evaluation Summary documentation
Ensure that the potential (or existing) supplier(s) have both long-term financial stability as well as the capacity to meet YETI’s (ever-growing) forecasted requirements.
Submit formal RFQ/RFP to most qualified suppliers referencing payment term and quality requirements
Obtain and evaluate detailed quotations versus should-cost models
Create quote summaries and process overviews
Support the PSA (First article submission) process in conjunction with Project Engineering for a new supplier launch of existing products
Make a recommendation on fact-based supplier selection with consensus of Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing Process Engineering, New Product Development, and Purchasing
Create Dual + Procurement Strategies to support specific product categories, execute, and maintain them in response to business needs
Establish ramp-up production plans and oversee progress, ensuring timetables are met Obtain prototype and qualification samples
Oversee ramp up activities including: Equipment ordering and receipt, tooling ordering and receipt, hiring plans, facility expansions and raw material ordering / pipeline establishment, production flow diagrams, execution of the Quality Control Plan with the Quality and Manufacturing Process Engineering teams, etc.
Participate with Quality, NPD, Manufacturing Process Engineering and Marketing in the PSA Sample run off and evaluation process for the new products and lead the effort for production expansion
Once supplier / product is approved and initial ramp up completed, coordinate hand-off to the Core Products Planner or designated supplier
Engage Manufacturing Process Engineering for efficiency improvements at key suppliers

Quarter-over-quarter cost improvements include but are not limited to
Examining raw material, currency, and other input fluctuations for cost improvement
Utilizing input from Manufacturing Process Engineering to drive cost improvements through efficiency gains
Building duty / tax-efficient sourcing strategies
Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree
5+ years of Sourcing / Direct Procurement experience in a fast-paced environment
5+ years of Supplier Development experience
5+ years of Project Management / supplier onboarding experience
Demonstrated experience in sourcing quality, cost-effective, premium product solutions
Demonstrated experience in developing suppliers, supplier processes and scalability
Project management and supplier production ramp up management
Networked in plastics and other core material categories to define new sourcing opportunities
Strong understanding of plastics production processes
Effective relationship building skill to drive cross-functional resolution
Ability to travel up to 60% domestic and international
YETI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.