Job Information
Elkay Program Manager - Strategic Sourcing in Downers Grove, Illinois
Program Manager - Strategic Sourcing
The Company
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We’re a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow.
Named by Newsweek as One of America’s Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today’s leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you’ll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com.
If you’re ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family!
Job Description
This position Reports to the Category Manager – Drinking Water and is responsible for the cross functional alignment, project management, and supply chain expertise necessary to successfully complete key strategic initiatives related to global sourcing of products. This position will provide project leadership and strategic-sourcing functional expertise and ownership, working closely with multiple site locations and business units, to ensure that cost, quality, delivery, and project timeline objectives are met.
Key Accountabilities
Formulate, organize and monitor cross-functional projects.
Help create and execute suitable strategies and objectives.
Maintain governance structure and procedures to ensure best practices and program alignment at all levels.
This includes the identification and escalation of any risks and solution deviations.
Develop and implement Change Management strategies.
Facilitates team and supplier meetings effectively.
Conduct risk assessment and develop risk mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions.
Communicates effectively with executive stakeholders, senior management, and project teams to identify needs, solutions, and to ensure alignment with project scope.
Identify, create, and report KPIs, TTIs, and milestones for senior leadership.
Qualifications/Requirements
BA or BS degree preferably in Engineering or Supply Chain competency, minimum in a business/industrial related field; certification in project management (PMP) is a plus
At least 5 years of experience working in an industrial manufacturing environment with experience in an Engineering, Supply Chain, or similar position
Proven success as Program Manager or in a role leading complex global sourcing initiatives
Excellent knowledge of project performance evaluation and change management principles
Outstanding leadership and organizational skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent problem-solving ability
Ability to travel domestically and internationally
Experience sourcing in low-cost regions
Experience working with multiple locations globally
Proven success in a change management and “stretch” environment
Experience in a centralized Supply Chain structure
Possesses an understanding of total cost of ownership.
Proactively assesses internal and external process improvements and influences effective change and drive innovation and continuous improvements.
Capabilities and Success Factors
Bias for Action: Evaluate acts and communicates in ‘internet time’. Decisive, makes timely practical, effective decisions. Takes initiative without being asked.
Open Communication: Willingness to ask and honestly answer tough questions. Treat other’s opinions with respect. Foster open communications and candid discussions. Share information that helps others succeeds. Keep others in the loop.
Data Analysis/Interpretation: Ability to convert general data and findings into applied, specific information and suggestions that add value to the business planning.
Manages Systems and Processes: Effectively uses systems and processes to measure, monitor, manage and impact performance. Improves processes and builds scalability.
Financial Analysis Knowledge: Knowledge and application of the principles of financial analysis and capital projects justification (e.g. life cost analysis, internal rate of return, net present value, economic profit, economic value added)
Project Management: Ability to manage projects to ensure successful delivery (on time with budget, meeting agreed upon success criteria) to establish clear goals and accountabilities. This includes the ability to develop project plans, allocate resources, identify potential issues/risk and develop contingency plans.
Negotiations: Ability to influence and negotiate optimal arrangements between Zurn Elkay stakeholders and suppliers.
Supplier Contracts: Knowledge of the legal terminology and language related to supplier and or vendor agreements and contracts.
Persuasive: Demonstrates healthy and productive influencing ability. Gains the respect and confidence of others. Builds constructive and effective relations.
Drives for continuous improvement: Align continuous improvement with the strategic objectives of the organization; drives process excellence; make continuous improvement part of creating a high-performance culture; blends the best practices from different methodologies and focus on data, not emotions. Business Insight – Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
Ensures Accountability – Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
Cultivates Innovation – Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
Manages Complexity – Making sense of complex, high quantity and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Total Rewards and Benefits
Competitive Salary
Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
Matching 401(k) Contribution
Health Savings Account
Up to 3 Weeks Vacation
12 Paid Holidays
Annual Bonus Eligibility
Educational Reimbursement
Matching Gift Program
THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation
What happens when two remarkable sustainability leaders come together as one?
A sustainability powerhouse is born, making a splash in the markets they serve and saving the planet one innovative installation at a time.
In early 2022, Zurn Water Solutions Corporation, a market leader in smart, sustainable water solutions, and Elkay Manufacturing, a commercial drinking water solutions leader, agreed to combine their two exceptional firms to become a single water solutions powerhouse.
Together, the combined company offers a comprehensive package of innovative, sustainable, specified, engineered water solutions and sustainable plumbing products that provide water safety, water quality, and water conservation through critical service environments, while delivering total building solutions for new construction and retrofit applications around the globe. Our innovative solutions enable customers to advance their ESG initiatives and reduce operating costs while providing students, patients, patrons, and people within public and private spaces a safe, clean environment and access to fresh, pure, potable water – the essence of life itself.
What makes Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation special is our people and our culture.
While playing a leading role in sustainability and water access are remarkable, what makes Zurn Elkay’s story so compelling is the alignment of the two well-respected companies with powerful legacies and a combined 224-year company history and shared values and cultures where people matter most.
Sustainably inspired, the company has a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, water, and environmental stewardship, and giving back to the communities where we live, work and play. Our powerful legacy of caring and commitment is made possible by the exceptional people that embody Zurn Elkay’s values.
We are looking for innovative, energetic people who want to help solve tomorrow’s challenges today. Our Total Associate Engagement core value means we work hard to ensure our associates have opportunities to grow and an inclusive culture in which to thrive. From formal training to on-the-job development and exposure to new businesses, when you join Zurn Elkay, you will join a collaborative organization that will give you opportunities to thrive and grow.