What does a director of global sourcing do?
A director of global sourcing spearheads and oversees an organization's supply chain operations at a worldwide scale. Although their duties may vary upon their industry of employment, it usually includes conducting foreign market research and analyses to find business and client opportunities, setting goals and sales objectives, establishing project roadmaps and guidelines, and negotiating with potential business partners, building positive relationships in the process. Moreover, as a director of global sourcing, it is essential to manage and empower teams to reach goals while implementing the company's standards and policies.
Director of global sourcing responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real director of global sourcing resumes:
- Source new OEMs and manage current OEM relationships.
- Lead ERP implementation, conduct business reviews and growth discussions with strategic and prefer suppliers.
- Establish sourcing team from the ground up and lead all Americas technology sourcing and vendor management operations.
- Initiate a global transport agreement managing international logistics and reducing transport costs.
- Manage entire RFX event lifecycle, including requirements gathering, supplier strategy development, contract negotiations and program implementation.
- Create bi-yearly reviews with each third party warehouse partner to review KPIs, customer service and growth opportunities.
- Conduct 20 RFP events in 10 months.
- Develop the import guitar OEM strategy.
- Design and roll out KPIs across the global enterprise.
- Redefine the FP SIOP process to fully integrate it with the financial process.
- Create technology innovation paths for all chemicals commodities in support of product business goals.
- Implement manufacturing resource planning (MRP) to renovate procurement process and reduce inventory $215K.
- Secure $463K in just first 30 day through a successful RFP for company's video and phone system.
- Champion the oversight of the monitoring and controls used to ensure compliance to regulatory and internal standards for systems support.
- Provide expertise in leveraging global commodities markets.
Director of global sourcing skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Directors Of Global Sourcing are proficient in Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, and Global Sourcing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Math skills, and Negotiating skills.
We break down the percentage of Directors Of Global Sourcing that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Supply Chain, 14%
Led supply chain/Process Redesign consulting services, coordinating logistics restructuring operations to support industries such as chemicals, transportation and agriculture.
- Strategic Sourcing, 10%
Direct day-to-day initiatives for DIPP Direct & Indirect Material Strategic Sourcing Managers, new product development analysts and supplier development engineers.
- Global Sourcing, 9%
Consolidated global operations of Kmart and Sears brands and implemented best-in-class direct global sourcing and procurement process and procedures.
- Continuous Improvement, 8%
Provided strategic business leadership, implemented continuous improvement initiatives, and procurement early engagement.
- Supplier Performance, 5%
Direct supplier evaluation and development program to achieve optimal supplier performance.
- Direct Reports, 3%
Directed 46 associates with nine direct reports (four in the US and five in International Markets).
"supply chain," "strategic sourcing," and "global sourcing" are among the most common skills that directors of global sourcing use at work. You can find even more director of global sourcing responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a director of global sourcing to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "when evaluating suppliers, purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must analyze their options and choose a supplier with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service." Additionally, a director of global sourcing resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed, developed and implemented global sourcing strategy to manage costs, minimize risks and maximize company profitability. "
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling director of global sourcing duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must possess math skills." According to a director of global sourcing resume, here's how directors of global sourcing can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "established global productivity comparison capability with measurement system designed using six sigma statistics tools. "
Negotiating skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of directors of global sourcing is negotiating skills. This skill is critical to many everyday director of global sourcing duties, as "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "realized cost savings of 15% by selecting new sources and or negotiating with existing vendors. "
The three companies that hire the most director of global sourcings are:
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Compare different directors of global sourcing
Director of global sourcing vs. Subcontracts manager
The job of a subcontract manager is to develop and negotiate subcontracts, arrange payments, and analyze sales records. You will be responsible for evaluating employee performance and monitoring supply changes using your contract management skills and administrative expertise. Other duties include overseeing the agreement between subcontractors and your company, researching and evaluating supplies, and monitoring the shipment of goods. This role will also require you to participate in bidder's conferences and seminars, develop subcontract terms and conditions, and oversee the hiring of purchasing clerks and buyers.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a director of global sourcing are more likely to require skills like "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "kpis," and "logistics." On the other hand, a job as a subcontracts manager requires skills like "program management," "price analysis," "project management," and "purchase orders." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Subcontracts managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $99,361. Comparatively, directors of global sourcing tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $170,446.subcontracts managers tend to reach similar levels of education than directors of global sourcing. In fact, subcontracts managers are 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Director of global sourcing vs. Contracts manager
A contract manager is responsible for finalizing contract agreements between the company and its clients, revising documents, creating procurement proposals, and managing breach of contracts immediately. Contract managers respond to clients' inquiries and concerns about the contract's terms, conditions, and adjustment requests. They should be highly knowledgeable with legal terms and legislation regulations, ensuring that documents align with their objectives. The contract manager should also stay updated with the latest trends to meet contract demands, identify more business opportunities to boost revenues, and achieve profitability goals.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that director of global sourcing responsibilities requires skills like "supply chain," "global sourcing," "continuous improvement," and "supplier performance." But a contracts manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "contract management," "contract administration," "contract terms," and "project management."
On average, contracts managers earn a lower salary than directors of global sourcing. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, contracts managers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $89,882. Whereas directors of global sourcing have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $170,446.contracts managers earn similar levels of education than directors of global sourcing in general. They're 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director of global sourcing vs. Supply officer
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a director of global sourcing is likely to be skilled in "supply chain," "strategic sourcing," "global sourcing," and "continuous improvement," while a typical supply officer is skilled in "logistics support," "financial management," "food service," and "inventory control."
Supply officers typically earn lower educational levels compared to directors of global sourcing. Specifically, they're 8.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director of global sourcing vs. Purchasing project manager
Types of director of global sourcing
Updated January 8, 2025
