BUSINESS STRATEGY CONSULTANT-COST CONTROL (HYBRID-CHARLOTTE, NC)

Job Summary:

Compass Group, the world’s leading contract foodservice and support services company and #1 rated employer by the Charlotte Observer, offers an exciting opportunity for career growth as a Business Strategy Consultant with a focus on Vendor Management.

This role, within Strategic Projects, will be integral to optimizing Compass Group’s vendor management strategy, driving efficiency and value across vendor relationships, and maximizing the financial impact of related projects. Reporting to Strategic Projects – Cost Control, this position offers exposure to high-level, enterprise-wide business initiatives. The consultant will play a pivotal role in evaluating and managing vendor relationships, ensuring the alignment of service delivery with corporate goals, and optimizing pricing strategies to drive cost savings and operational efficiency. A successful candidate will be an analytical and strategic thinker, capable of navigating complex vendor negotiations, conducting in-depth data analyses, and applying data-driven solutions to drive change across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee vendor management strategies, optimizing supplier relationships and ensuring competitive pricing for procurement, maintenance, and service agreements.
• Evaluate current vendor performance and pricing structures, identifying opportunities for improvement to enhance cost efficiency and service delivery.
• Plan, organize, and manage a portfolio of key vendor contracts and pricing analyses, defining scope, timelines, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure vendor management strategies align with broader corporate initiatives and business objectives.
• Create tailored, client-specific pricing and vendor management solutions using relevant data, market trends, and cost analysis tools.
• Present findings, analyses, and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders, ensuring clear and actionable communication.
• Develop reports, dashboards, and performance tracking tools to measure vendor performance, cost savings, and the success of initiatives.
• Analyze complex data to draw conclusions, make recommendations, and challenge existing vendor contracts and business practices to drive improvements.
• Foster continuous improvement in vendor management processes, identifying and implementing industry best practices.

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 3-5 years’ experience in an analyst, consultant, or management role with a focus on vendor management or supply chain operations.
• Experience with vendor negotiation and contract management.
• MBA, Six Sigma certification, or external consulting experience preferred.
• Strong quantitative and financial analysis skills, with experience in data mining, Excel modeling, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) with the ability to engage and present to all levels of an organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel as needed (less than 25%).

Traits/Skills:

• Critical thinker – ability to challenge norms and approach vendor management with innovative, creative solutions.
• Problem-solving skills – adept at shifting between big-picture strategy and detailed contract analysis.
• Strong communicator – effective at conveying complex vendor management concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Multi-disciplinary – experience in vendor management across diverse functions.
• Entrepreneurial spirit – self-motivated, proactive, inquisitive, and persistent, with a focus on delivering impactful results.