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Senior Sourcing Associate

Direct Supply · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a supplier relationship you improved. What changed in their performance?

What they are checking: Whether they manage suppliers toward better results instead of only reacting to problems.

Tell me about a time you used AI or a data tool in sourcing work. How did you check the output?

What they are checking: Critical assessment of AI-generated outputs, which the posting names under judgment.

Tell me about a sourcing problem where the obvious fix would have caused trouble upstream or downstream.

What they are checking: Systems thinking about dependencies, which the posting stresses for this role.

What would you do

A supplier announces a large price increase and says it is due to raw material costs. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Ability to test supplier claims with data and negotiate rather than accept increases at face value.

How do you weigh cost savings against supply continuity for products senior living communities rely on daily?

What they are checking: Judgment that protects the end customer, since the posting lists continuity alongside cost.

How do you work with internal partners who want a specific supplier for reasons that are not about cost or service?

What they are checking: Ability to voice a clear point of view while respecting cross-functional needs.

How would you build a plan to manage risk if a key supplier for a national brand went out of stock for months?

What they are checking: Contingency planning and readiness to protect supply when a single source fails.

About the work

Walk me through how you prepare for a negotiation on a commercial agreement with a national brand supplier.

What they are checking: Preparation discipline, including data, alternatives and walk-away points, before sitting down with a supplier.

How do you analyze supplier and market performance to spot a cost or risk issue early?

What they are checking: Analytical habits that catch trouble before it reaches customers or margin.

What contract terms do you look at most closely beyond price?

What they are checking: Commercial depth around service levels, terms, liability and exit, where risk often hides.

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The full job description

As published by Direct Supply.

Position Summary: Direct Supply is building the future of healthcare technology with industry-leading products, solutions and platforms to help improve the lives of millions of seniors and those who care for them. In the Senior Sourcing Associate - National Brands position, you’ll execute sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships that support cost, service and supply continuity across the National Brands portfolio. You’ll negotiate commercial agreements, analyze supplier and market performance and partner across the business to strengthen supplier performance, manage risk and support business growth. Skills Needed: • Systems Thinking & Problem Solving - Identify the right problems to solve by understanding the broader system – customers, stakeholders, processes, data, technology, and AI. Connect root causes, dependencies, tradeoffs, and upstream and downstream effects to develop practical, scalable solutions that improve the whole. • Apply Judgment - Make sound decisions by evaluating data, context, assumptions, risk, and outcomes. Critically assess ideas and AI-generated outputs, consider interdependencies, voice a clear point of view, and own the results and impact. • Create & Shape Ideas - Generate, test, and develop new ideas into useful, high-quality solutions and experiences. Use creativity, curiosity, technology, and different perspectives to see around the corner, innovate and develop ideas into outcomes that create value and scale. • Influence & Collaborate - Build trust, communicate clearly, and work across boundaries to drive action and shared outcomes. Seek and integrate different perspectives, contribute ideas, work through dependencies, and help teams make progress together through change and ambiguity. • Learn & Adapt - Continuously grow and adapt as technology, customer needs, roles, and work systems evolve. Stay curious, learn beyond your core specialty, experiment with new approaches, use AI to accelerate learning, and improve through feedback and setbacks. What You’ll Do and Impact: • Manage assigned supplier relationships, including onboarding, contract execution, business reviews, performance management and issue resolution. • Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned product and service programs that support cost, service and supply continuity objectives. • Negotiate supplier agreements and commercial terms to secure competitive programs and support business objectives. • Execute risk mitigation strategies and maintain contingency plans to reduce the impact of potential supply disruptions. • Analyze costs, market trends, supplier capabilities and industry insights to inform sourcing decisions. • Use AI, analytics and emerging technologies to improve sourcing efficiency, insights and decision-making. • Position Direct Supply as a valuable strategic customer to strengthen supplier relationships and identify opportunities for mutual value. • Partner with internal stakeholders and suppliers to align sourcing activities with business priorities and objectives. • Monitor supplier performance and risk and address opportunities to improve service, reliability and business results. • Develop and improve sourcing tools and processes that simplify workflows, increase efficiency and strengthen supplier performance. • Maintain supplier contracts, performance metrics and sourcing data to support accurate and informed decision-making. • Share sourcing expertise, best practices, tools and insights that strengthen supply chain operations. Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering or a related field. • 3-6 years of experience in sourcing, negotiation or supply chain management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • Experience with contract management, cost analysis, supplier relationship management and strategic negotiations. • Proficiency with data analytics and reporting tools to support sourcing decisions. • Ability to travel by car and/or plane up to 10%. Additional Items of Interest: • APICS, CPSM, or equivalent certification preferred. Job to be performed in the location listed. Generous benefit package available. © 2013 to 2026 Direct Supply, Inc. All rights reserved.

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