Sr Manager Strategic Sourcing Category

OVERVIEW

Experience something categorically different. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., a thriving digital ecosystem and a growth trajectory that’s put Wall Street on notice; Ulta Beauty provides dynamic challenges for those who want to apply their financial acumen to ever-increasing levels of complexity. Professional ownership. Diverse and ever-evolving projects. Greater levels of impact. The ability to influence decisions and organizational direction. It’s all part of the daily experience of our Finance & Accounting associates.

 

If you want a collaborative environment where continual learning, career self-determination and trust are prioritized, where an engaged leadership provides deep levels of support and guidance, Ulta Beauty is uniquely positioned to deliver greater levels of career satisfaction. Are you up for the challenge?

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:

 

As the Senior Sourcing Manager at Ulta Beauty, you will lead a high-performing team and oversee critical Indirect Procurement portfolios, focusing heavily on Marketing and Corporate Services. Category ownership includes, but is not limited to: Marketing Agencies and Services, Media & Advertising, Print, Visual Supplies, Travel, Guest Services, Human Resources, Finance, Legal, and Insurance.

In this highly visible role, you will balance strategic, project-based initiatives with recurring sourcing responsibilities. You will act as a driving force behind expense reduction, risk mitigation, supply assurance, and continuous operational improvement, directly impacting Ulta’s bottom line while aligning procurement goals with overarching business initiatives.

  

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

 

Strategy and Planning

• Develop Category Strategies: Formulate comprehensive, long-term category strategies by analyzing spend data, monitoring market trends, and assessing supply risk.
• Annual Sourcing Roadmaps: Collaborate regularly with department stakeholders to plan sourcing, contracting, and procurement activities that support Ulta's corporate objectives.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with internal business leaders, suppliers, and affiliates to optimize commercial value, rationalize the supply base, and support organizational growth.
• Proactive Lifecycle Management: Monitor and track expiring contracts for your designated categories to ensure timely renewals, renegotiations, or market tests.

Sourcing and Procurement Excellence

• End-to-End Event Execution: Champion procurement best practices by leading and overseeing high-value competitive bids (RFPs) and contracting activities, utilizing eSourcing and eContract Management tools.
• Process Innovation: Join the Sourcing Leaders Team to research, develop, and execute improvements across procurement processes, data analysis, sourcing technologies, and negotiation training.

Contracting

• Complex Negotiations: Formulate negotiation strategies to draft, review, and finalize complex commercial agreements, serving as the primary liaison between Legal Services and internal business partners.
• Compliance and Governance: Ensure all Purchase Orders (POs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and legal contracts are accurately documented, appropriately routed for approval, and properly archived.

People Leadership

• Talent Development: Manage, coach, and support a driven team of sourcing professionals, empowering them to grow their skills and successfully execute their individual category strategies.
• Culture and Accountability: Lead by example according to corporate Sourcing Expectations; foster a collaborative and empathetic culture, celebrate wins, and provide regular, candid feedback to help team members succeed.

Other duties may be assigned.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

 

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant sourcing, or procurement experience, including people leadership.  Additional requirements include:

 

• Leadership & Collaboration: Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing direct reports to success; brings a collaborative, inclusive mindset and a creative approach to problem-solving.
• Procurement & Complex Contracting: Deep knowledge of sourcing and procurement best practices, with a thorough understanding of contract lifecycles (drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex terms). Professional negotiation training or certifications are a plus.
• Strategic Communication & Influence: Confident verbal and written communicator able to effectively partner with, present to, and influence stakeholders at all levels—from front-line staff to the C-suite.
• Technical Systems & Adaptability: Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with comfort in MS Teams, SAP Ariba, and Coupa; possesses a strong aptitude to quickly learn new sourcing and purchasing software.
• Personal Growth: A demonstrable history of curiosity, professional development, and continuous learning.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

• Prior consulting experience preferred
• Project management skills and experience a plus
• Participation in external industry events, membership in sourcing, purchasing or contracting organizations such as ISM, SIG, ProcureCon, or others
• CPSM, CPM, CCM and related certifications preferred

SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional travel required 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ulta “FlexWork” – three (3) days in office every other week (bi-weekly) with the remainder remote

#LI-JB2

 

The pay range for this position is $102,900.00 - $158,900.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta

ABOUT

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

 

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.