Director, Sourcing Emerging Technologies & Operational Capabilities_ Corporate Vendor Management Director

Your opportunity

Director, Sourcing Emerging Technologies & Operational Capabilities_Corporate Vendor Management Director

Our Opportunity:

Corporate Vendor Management (CVM) at Charles Schwab & Co. is responsible for implementing a firm-wide, end-to-end vendor relationship management process to maximize vendor performance and value. CVM provides category management and strategic sourcing as well as identifies, mitigates, monitors, and manages vendor risk; and assists Schwab in meeting regulatory and compliance requirements.

Role Overview:

Reporting to the Managing Director of Strategic Sourcing, this new Director role is responsible for identifying new means to support the firm’s existing and emerging products and capabilities being delivered as part of Schwab’s growth strategy. You will build a cohesive team focused on advancing Sourcing’s ability to deliver next-generation sourcing capabilities to achieve competitive advantage, resilience, and long-term value for our partners. This position will be responsible for Sourcing readiness for new capabilities (e.g., AI, crypto) and operating models (e.g., business, legal); maximizing partnerships with third parties to deliver valuable outcomes for Schwab; cultivating a culture of collaboration within the organization; fostering strong relationships with various Schwab stakeholders; and leveraging data, tools and insights to inform decisions to achieve business goals. 

Model Schwab’s leadership imperatives:

• Connect team objectives to Schwab’s strategy to inspire your team to take action.
• Ruthlessly prioritize the work achieving the greatest impact for the firm.
• Collaborate with others to break down barriers and accomplish shared goals.
• Embrace challenges with courage and model resiliency to seize new opportunities.
• Communicate with care, kindness, and clarity to create a space where everyone can do their best work.
• Develop yourself and others through coaching, feedback, and growth expectations.
• Promote curiosity, seek continuous feedback, and encourage bold perspectives to challenge the status quo.

Key Outcomes: 

• Support CVM’s vision and mission and model our values to lead the team to realize our goals.
• Coach and mentor team members, with a clear approach to leadership and development of people and transformation of the functions
• Use data and other resources to identify insights and inform recommendations for vendor proposals and business decisions
• Leverage relationships, industry connections and sourcing expertise to influence strategy and direction
• Identify opportunities for system enhancements or new technologies, such as AI capabilities, that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sourcing and procurement processes
• Coordinate closely with relevant CVM project teams and working groups to ensure a cohesive approach to enhancing Sourcing tools, technologies and data management
• Provide framework for managing commercial terms, including training resources and streamlining contract templates to support adoption
• Understand and ensure team adheres to Schwab and CVM policies and procedures

What you have

Required Experience: 

• 10+ years of experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, and/or vendor management
• 5+ years of successfully leading and developing a team of engaged employees, with experience leading geographically dispersed team members
• Proven track record of building effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, senior level business partners and external partners
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across cross-functional, diverse teams
• Desire and motivation to learn new skills and expand knowledge to improve job performance, team, and functional capabilities
• Superior analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong financial and business acumen and demonstrated growth mindset who embraces challenges, is solution-oriented and takes initiative to address opportunities

Preferred Experience:

• Strong attention to detail and ability to see downstream impacts
• Flexible and adaptable in leading and implementing change
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability developing materials and effectively presenting to senior audiences
• Comfort dealing with ambiguity and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with minimal direction
• Passion for learning about new technical capabilities and platforms to realize efficiencies and evolve how Sourcing executes its responsibilities
• Ability to serve as a change catalyst, enabling agile, intelligent and sustainable sourcing practices aligning with Schwab’s broader growth and transformation objectives
• Proven record of tracking, measuring, and delivering results
• Expert user of PowerPoint, Work and Excel
• Expertise with sourcing tools, contract management systems, and technology solutions relevant to sourcing
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; Advanced degree preferred
• Professional accreditation in sourcing, procurement or supply management is a plus