Supplier Management Lead

SUMMARY

Salary: 85,288. Commensurate with Experience

The Supplier Management Lead is a key leadership role within the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Procurement Department responsible for the effective administration, governance, and continuous improvement of the organization’s supplier management function. The position provides functional leadership and oversight of supplier onboarding, supplier master data, ERP integrity, documentation and compliance requirements, reporting, and supplier management processes. The Supplier Management Lead serves as a primary liaison among Procurement, Finance, Accounts Payable, System Administration, suppliers, and other internal stakeholders to ensure supplier information is accurate, complete, compliant, and readily available to support efficient procurement and payment operations.

This position is expected to operate with a high degree of independence and professional judgment, identifying operational risks, resolving complex supplier issues, establishing effective controls, and recommending process and system improvements. The role also provides analytical and reporting support to Procurement leadership and contributes to strategic initiatives, including supplier diversity and the CATS Small Business Program. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in supplier data management, ERP processes, procurement operations, cross‑functional coordination, data analysis, and process improvement, with the ability to translate detailed operational information into actionable recommendations for leadership.

• Serves as the functional lead and subject matter expert for CATS supplier management processes.
• Provides oversight of the supplier lifecycle, including onboarding, maintenance, changes, compliance documentation, status updates, and supplier record management.
• Establishes and maintains standards, procedures, controls, and documentation requirements for supplier management activities.
• Ensures supplier data is accurate, complete, current, and appropriately aligned with procurement and financial requirements.
• Conducts supplier data audits, reconciliations, and quality‑control reviews.
• Identifies systemic supplier data issues and recommends corrective actions.
• Coordinates resolution of complex supplier onboarding, documentation, data, compliance, payment, and system issues.
• Provides functional guidance and subject matter expertise to Procurement staff and internal stakeholders.
• Leads initiatives to improve procurement workflows, reporting, data quality, compliance monitoring, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluates existing processes to identify opportunities for standardization, automation, improved controls, and enhanced service delivery.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures, process documentation, data standards, reporting definitions, and internal controls.
• Partners with System Administration and other stakeholders to identify ERP enhancements, system requirements, automation opportunities, and data‑quality improvements.
• Establishes and promotes procurement data governance practices to ensure information is accurate, consistent, secure, and fit for decision‑making.
• Leads or supports implementation of new procurement systems, reporting tools, processes, and technologies.
• Measures the effectiveness of implemented improvements and recommends additional enhancements as appropriate.
• Provides the Director of Procurement and Procurement leadership with analytical, operational, and compliance insights to support informed decision‑making.
• Serves as a trusted advisor on procurement data, reporting, supplier management, compliance, and operational performance.
• Coordinates cross‑functional initiatives involving Procurement, Finance, Accounts Payable, System Administration, Legal, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Leads issue resolution through clear communication, accountability, analysis, and follow‑through.
• Prepares executive‑level reports, presentations, briefing materials, and recommendations as requested.
• Provides guidance and training to Procurement staff regarding reporting standards, data practices, supplier requirements,…