Associate Manager, Strategic Sourcing (Ocean Freight and LCL Ocean)

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

The Global Supply Chain Organization is a competitive advantage for Mattel.  Mattel’s Supply Chain is continually evolving to support the amazing portfolio of Mattel products and is never boring!  This position plays a critical role by ensuring that Mattel products are delivered across all continents with the highest service standards and cost-effective conditions. To accomplish this, the position requires developing and owning high level cross functional interactions with key stakeholders and managing strategic partnerships throughout the globe. Additionally, this role will gain exceptional perspective and insight into Mattel’s Supply Chain global network.  

The Opportunity: 

The Associate Manager, Global Procurement is an individual contributor role that reports directly into the Senior Manager, Global Procurement.   

The Associate Manager will be assigned (by Senior Manager) certain Logistics categories, strategies and projects to manage to positive outcomes. The Associate Manager is responsible for the execution of sourcing strategies, with an equal emphasis placed on the ability to identify, analyze, and quantify opportunities, manage RFI and RFPs, handle vendor negotiations and contract management.  This person will assist or may lead large cross functional teams driving cost, quality, service, technology, and innovation efficiencies through stakeholder engagement using data and spend analysis. Functional areas will include, but not be limited to Ocean Freight, Ocean LCL and other key logistics sourcing.   

This role is vital to ensuring that Mattel continues to gain momentum towards truly becoming a World Class Strategic Sourcing organization which will drive further operational efficiencies across the globe via sustainable cost discipline and revenue growth platforms. 

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Support Senior Manager in the Global Ocean Freight sourcing initiatives through providing market insights analytics and identifying Mattel’s opportunities. The Associate Manager will manage day-to-day communications with internal and external parties, assist in forecasting process and supplier relationship management. 

• Own and develop category strategies for LCL Ocean and other logistics categories, grounded in data, forecasts, and stakeholder needs. 

• Lead full-cycle sourcing initiatives (RFI/RFQ/RFP) across globe for LCL Ocean and NA for other projects —managing the projects from strategy and execution to vendor selection and contract closeout.  

• Support Senior Manager by helping to facilitate the Ocean Freight RFI/RFQ/RFP sourcing process through vendor award in Coupa CSO.  The role will collaborate with a cross-functional Integrated Sourcing Team (IST) to develop RFP documents, contract boilerplates, contract tracking, and assist/manage supplier performance and contract performance.  

• Create presentations and analytics regarding data and spend for the categories as well as identify savings opportunities. 

• Build a general understanding of the market trends for the assigned categories and leverage that understanding to determine potential sources and capabilities of suppliers while informing key internal stakeholders. 

• Partner with Finance and Logistics teams to accurately forecast annual category spend, align critical cost assumptions, and reconcile actual spend against financial targets.  

• Share best practices with the Global Procurement Logistics team to drive synergies and improve effectiveness of the group.   

• Review current and new contracts with Legal/ Risk Management to ensure business is protected and identify procurement risks and opportunities. 

What We’re Looking For:

• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant professional experience  

• BA/BS (Business, Finance, and/or Operations/Supply Chain preferred)  

• Proven ability to learn/execute independently 

• Superior analytical, problem solving and financial modeling skills 

• Strong track record in building both internal and external relationships  

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and interact with employees at all levels 

• Strong ability to influence 

• Strong project management skills 

• Excellent verbal/written skills 

• Strong negotiation skills 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Power Point, Excel, Word) 

• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Preferred skills: 

• CPM or similar certification  

• CPG background  

• Coupa/CSO/Oracle/Infor Nexus systems management  

• Financial acumen 

• Experience working closely with and frequently presenting to senior management 

• Willingness to travel (position may require up to 10% travel) 

• Strong customer service background 

• Experience developing contract terms with Legal 

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!

How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
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