Job Description
Are you looking for a forward focus environment where you are continually challenged, and the atmosphere is affirming? Do you want to be a part of a team where you are often out of your comfort zone, but you wake up excited to go to work each day? How about a place where people are growing because they desire change and growth is modeled and expected?
WHO WE ARE:
Premier Trailer Leasing is a ' USA Today Top Workplace' and one of the largest trailer leasing and rental companies in the nation, specializing in long-term leasing and short-term rental services for over-the-road vans, flatbeds, refrigerated equipment and chassis with an inventory of 70,000 trailers and a growing network of locations across the United States. At Premier you will find an environment where you are seen, heard and valued. Join us and experience what it means to live a culture of C.A.R.E!
JOB SCOPE:
The Vice President – Strategic Sourcing is an executive leader responsible for developing and executing Premier Trailer Leasing's enterprise-wide sourcing, procurement, and supplier management strategy to support fleet growth, operational excellence, and long-term shareholder value. This role provides strategic leadership over sourcing for trailers, refrigeration units, parts, maintenance services, transportation vendors, technology, facilities, and other critical operational categories across the enterprise.
The Vice President will cultivate strategic supplier partnerships, negotiate complex enterprise agreements, identify opportunities for cost optimization and innovation, and ensure the organization maintains a resilient, cost-effective supply chain capable of supporting Premier's continued growth. This leader partners closely with Executive Leadership, Finance, Fleet Management, Operations, RoadCARE, Maintenance, Real Estate, IT, and Legal to align sourcing strategies with corporate objectives, capital investment plans, and asset lifecycle management. This individual will drive continuous improvement, strengthen supplier performance, mitigate supply chain risk, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Sourcing Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic sourcing and procurement strategy aligned with corporate growth, operational priorities, and financial goals.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization, supplier consolidation, and long-term value creation.
- Establish sourcing governance, policies, and procurement standards across the organization.
- Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives to improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and optimize cost structures.
- Develop a multi-year sourcing roadmap that supports Premier's strategic growth initiatives.
- Benchmark sourcing practices against industry leaders and implement best-in-class procurement strategies.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on sourcing strategy, supplier markets, and capital procurement decisions.
Supplier Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers including: Trailer manufacturers, Refrigeration unit providers, Trailer parts and component suppliers, Maintenance and roadside service vendors, Transportation and logistics providers, Technology and equipment vendors.
- Lead negotiation of enterprise supply agreements, service contracts, and pricing frameworks.
- Develop supplier performance scorecards to ensure quality, service, and cost targets are consistently achieved.
- Evaluate supplier financial stability, operational capabilities, and long-term partnership potential.
- Lead executive business reviews with key strategic suppliers.
- Drive supplier innovation initiatives that improve service, quality, technology adoption, and operational efficiencies.
Fleet & Maintenance Procurement
- Partner with Management and Operations teams to source trailers, components, and parts required for fleet acquisition, maintenance, and lifecycle management.
- Support procurement strategies for both dry vans and refrigerated trailer assets.
- Ensure reliable supply of parts and materials necessary for maintenance and repair operations across branch locations.
- Collaborate with RoadCARE and maintenance leadership to ensure vendor networks meet service quality and coverage requirements.
- Collaborate with Fleet leadership on long-term fleet replacement strategies and equipment specifications.
- Identify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership throughout the trailer lifecycle.
Contracting & Cost Management
- Lead negotiations for high-value supplier contracts and capital procurement initiatives.
- Establish pricing models, rebate programs, and long-term purchasing agreements that improve total cost of ownership.
- Partner with Finance to analyze sourcing ROI, supplier cost trends, and savings opportunities.
- Ensure all contracts meet legal, compliance, and risk management standards.
- Develop enterprise purchasing strategies that maximize purchasing leverage across all business units.
- Monitor commodity market trends and proactively recommend sourcing strategies to minimize financial exposure.
Supply Chain Risk & Compliance
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks related to vendor dependency, pricing volatility, and supply disruptions.
- Ensure procurement practices align with company compliance standards and regulatory requirements.
- Establish contingency sourcing plans for critical components and equipment.
Operational Collaboration
- Work closely with Operations, Maintenance, IT, Real Estate, and Finance teams to support sourcing needs across the enterprise.
- Align procurement strategies with fleet growth plans and geographic expansion initiatives.
- Support new facility openings and operational initiatives through vendor sourcing and procurement coordination.
Leadership & Team Development
- Build and lead a high-performing strategic sourcing and procurement team.
- Develop procurement talent through training, mentorship, and professional development.
- Establish clear performance metrics and accountability within the sourcing department.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Build succession plans and leadership development strategies within the Strategic Sourcing organization.
- Champion cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement throughout the procurement lifecycle.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Deep expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement strategy, and supplier relationship management.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Financial and analytical acumen related to cost modeling and procurement ROI.
- Experience managing complex supply chains and vendor networks.
- Strong leadership and team development capability.
- Ability to influence senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Strategic thinking combined with operational execution discipline.
- Executive presence with exceptional communication and presentation skills.
- Strong business acumen and financial modeling capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change.
- Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and build consensus.
- Experience leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
- Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATION:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or related field required; MBA or certification as a Certified Professional in Supply Management preferred.
- 12+ years progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain leadership.
- 7+ years of leadership experience managing sourcing or procurement teams.
- Experience in transportation, logistics, fleet services, manufacturing, equipment leasing, or industrial operations preferred.
- Demonstrated success managing large supplier portfolios and negotiating enterprise contracts.
- Up to 35% of travel to supplier facilities, industry partners, and company branch locations.
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Great Plains (GP) and intermediate Excel knowledge.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive enterprise sourcing strategy aligned with Premier's long-term business objectives.
- Establish a high-performing Strategic Sourcing organization recognized as a trusted business partner across the enterprise.
- Deliver measurable annual cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.
- Improve total cost of ownership across fleet acquisition, maintenance, transportation, and operational spending.
- Increase purchasing leverage through supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Improve supplier quality, service, delivery, and responsiveness through performance scorecards and executive business reviews.
- Establish long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers that support innovation and operational excellence.
- Reduce supplier-related operational disruptions and improve supply continuity.
- Improve procurement efficiency through standardized sourcing processes, contract governance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support fleet growth by ensuring timely procurement of trailers, parts, and critical operational resources.
- Successfully support new branch openings and strategic expansion initiatives through proactive sourcing and vendor management.
- Reduce supply chain risk through supplier diversification, contingency planning, and proactive market intelligence.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Strengthen supplier due diligence and contract governance practices.
- Build, develop, and retain a high-performing Strategic Sourcing team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop succession plans and leadership capabilities within the department.
- Establish strong partnerships with Finance, Operations, Fleet, RoadCARE, Maintenance, IT, Real Estate, and Executive Leadership.
- Deliver actionable sourcing insights that support strategic business decisions and improve enterprise performance.