Ralph Lauren Associate Procurement Manager, Operations

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

The Procurement Associate Manager to lead and support Non-Merch sourcing and supplier management activities across EMEA and North America. This role will manage a small to mid-sized procurement team, driving category strategies, cost optimization, risk management, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement across IT, Architecture & Design, Facilities Management, and Marketing categories. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, cross-regional experience, and the ability to balance strategic sourcing with day-to-day operational delivery.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Category Management & Sourcing:

• Develop and execute category strategies for IT, Architecture & Design, Facilities, and Marketing
• Lead RFx (RFI/RFP/RFQ) processes: market scans, supplier shortlisting, bid analysis, negotiation, contract award
• Partner with Legal to negotiate MSAs, SOWs, SLAs, and compliance clauses; ensure alignment with regional regulatory requirements
• Drive cost savings, value creation, innovation, and supply risk mitigation; sourcing pipelines Supplier & Contract Management
• Establish supplier performance management: SLAs/KPIs, quarterly business reviews (QBRs), scorecards, and corrective action plans
• Manage contract lifecycle: authoring, reviews, renewals, amendments, and expirations; maintain metadata and repository hygiene
• Ensure ESG and sustainability considerations in supplier selection; support diversity supplier initiatives Stakeholder & Business Partnering
• Act as a procurement business partner to IT, Workplace/Facilities, Marketing, PMO stakeholders; influence demand, specifications, sourcing decisions
• Align procurement plans to regional timelines and time zone differences, ensuring coverage and responsiveness across EMEA & North America
• Support budget planning, forecast alignment, and PO/requisition processes with Finance and Operations People Management & Team Enablement
• Manage and coach a team of buyers/sourcing analysts: performance reviews, capability building, workload balancing, succession planning.
• Define business metrics, set clear goals, monitor operational SLAs, drive continuous improvement/ process automations
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and customer-centricity
  
  

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Analytical, influencing, facilitating, strategic thinking, solution oriented, process-driven, people management
• Ability to influence key stakeholders toward sustainable change
• Strong ability to analyze and organize data.
• Ability to execute under time sensitive deadlines and work effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to drive change in a decentralized organization.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced skills in preparing and delivering presentations required.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Project a plus)
• 8+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Project Management, Financial Analysis / Reporting, and Contract Management required
• Category-specific Strategic Sourcing experience, specifically in construction, decorative, interior design, merchandising tools
• Experience leading RF(x) events required - experience with Scout/ RFP system an asset
• Ariba experience an asset

Skills Required
Reporting, Microsoft Office Suite, Strategic Sourcing, Ariba, Contract Management, Project Management, Financial Analysis