Procurement Category Lead

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

**about this team**:
The Global Procurement team are trusted business advisors who strategically partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to create value and mitigate risk in strategic non-product purchases for the global organization. The team supports the business in increasing its profitability and return on investment by creating value in our indirect supply chain through sourcing and negotiation. From providing category expertise, market insights, cost savings opportunities & developing short and long-term strategies, the Global Procurement team supports the business with their supplier relationships.

**a day in the life**:
Reporting to the Category Director (Facilities, Store Development and Asset Protection as part of the Procurement team, the Procurement Category Lead will play a critical role in driving cost optimization, promoting supplier inclusion & diversity, and ensuring risk mitigation. Working closely with the Category Director and building relationships across multiple cross-functional teams, the Category lead will leverage market intelligence and data analysis to identify areas of opportunities, develop and execute category and/or sourcing strategies, negotiate optimal value for non-product related goods or services. Operating as part of the larger Procurement function, the Category lead will also have the opportunity to learn from experts in strategy, diversity and inclusion and other specialized procurement domains.

The Category Lead will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to generate value and mitigate risk in strategic non-product purchases across the global organization.

**This role's responsibilities include**:

- Building relationships with suppliers, business units, and cross-functional partners (Legal, FP&A, Cybersecurity, and others).
- Understanding negotiation strategies through leverage scenarios (e.g. Porter’s five forces).
- Leading and managing end-to-end procurement projects (e.g., RFx’s, contract negations and renewals) to ensure optimal cost while meeting business requirements.
- Developing and implementing category and sourcing strategies that align with the business's objectives with the use of detailed analytics and reporting
- Leveraging market intelligence, spend data, and other resources to identify opportunities for savings and uncover additional insights.
- Effectively communicating with business and FP&A partners to gather project requirements, align on sourcing strategies and supplier selection recommendations, and confirm budget and savings.
- Providing timely and accurate project updates for departmental reporting including Spendcube, SRM and Contract repositories

**qualifications**:

- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Building Engineering, Architecture and Design or a related field.
- SCMP, MBA, or equivalent (preferred).
- Minimum of 3 years in a procurement role.
- Relevant expertise in industry areas such as Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E), professional services, construction and Asset Protection
- Experience with public companies or working in an international scale (preferred).
- Strong project management skills.
- Excellent communication abilities.
- Ability to multi-task & handle multiple projects working with a variety of cross-functional partners.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
- Proficiency in Power BI and/or Smartsheet.
- Previous experience using P2P platforms, e-sourcing, and/or contract lifecycle management systems.

must haves
- Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
- Possess