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Position Summary

Serves as the primary lead for AutoZone’s Supplier Diversity initiatives in driving the company toward best-in-class Supplier Diversity performance. As the lead of Supplier Diversity initiatives, this individual will contribute subject matter expertise in strategic sourcing to identify certified diverse suppliers for competitive consideration to meet both operational requirements and products for resale, also known as Indirect and Direct Spend. As a part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team, this role will also be responsible for the development, management and implementation of programs and initiatives designed to attract, retain, develop, and promote diverse talent across all areas of the organization. The Program Manager will work closely with all areas of the organization, especially Procurement, Merchandising, Finance and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Other responsibilities will include the execution of policies, procedures and performance metrics established by the Director – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This position serves as the primary catalyst for organizing and reporting on Supplier Diversity progress. Responsibility entails outreach and in-reach engagement with customers, business units, regulatory organizations, and certified diverse suppliers’ advocacy groups. The Program Manager will also utilize data to drive further enhancements to processes and procedures related to DEI.

The Program Manager is also responsible for developing a priority list of supplier diversity projects to drive increased spend with certified diverse suppliers, through aggressive outreach to internal stakeholders, specifically those people driving strategic procurement and/or spot buying activities. Specific span and responsibility outlined below. The ideal candidate is deeply passionate about and knowledgeable of diversity, equity and inclusion topics with strong program/project management and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide leadership direction to support company-wide goal achievement of both Supplier Diversity and DEI initiatives.

· Partners with Talent Acquisition, Training, Development, Communications, and key business partners to develop and implement data driven diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives

· Ensure competitive access through proactive initiatives aimed at increasing procurement opportunities for certified diverse suppliers.

· Collects and presents reporting and analysis of key performance metrics to D&I Director, business partners, and HR leadership to informsupport and measure DEI strategies

· Support the DEI and Procurement team in identifying diversity outputs and offering solutions that address opportunities

· Interface with business units, operating companies, and other departments to ensure that the DEI and Supplier Diversity initiatives support the AutoZone mission in the marketplace

· Generate strategic sourcing policies, practices, and procedures to ensure the identification and competitive consideration of certified diverse suppliers

· Benchmark comparative analysis of supplier diversity applications and industry specific best practices currently in use that offer replicated value to AutoZone

· Manage and oversee relationship with supplier diversity data

· Leverage Business Resource Groups (BRGs) in support of supplier diversity and DEI initiatives

· Generate initiatives to engage the AutoZone team as advocates and champions of DEI and supplier diversity

· Support and assist in leading supplier diversity related training sessions to internal and external stakeholders

o Supplier Inclusion Training

o Merchant and Business Owner Leadership Training

o Supplier Diversity Summit

· Manage and respond to Supplier Diversity Outlook Inbox

· Gathers and effectively communicates DEI information and resources to assist business partners with meeting DEI objectives

· Partners with Talent Acquisition and Communications to update and/or make recommendations to enhance external website, social media and intranet DEI content

· Manages and responds to internal inquiries about D&I activities and programs

· Develops, acquires, and coordinates DEI training and maintains training metrics (e.g. participation, satisfaction)

· Organizes events to advance the goals of the DEI Team and/or enhance efforts administered by the D&I Director

· Coordinates materials and leads DEI presentations, meetings, and workshops

· Partners cross-functionally to facilitate completion of DEI related surveys

· Manages relationships with and supports Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to improve and assure consistent execution of BRG processes and goals including: managing the BRG formation process, maintaining BRG leadership records, supporting BRG leadership transition and Chapter approval process, attending BRG Core Team meetings as needed, responding to BRG related inquiries, maintaining internal BRG event calendar, updating DEI and BRG intranet pages, and maintaining BRG metrics

· Conducts research and maintains knowledge of diversity-related topics, current issues and best practices centered around recruitment, engagement, retention, and development.

Education and/or Experience

· Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent in Business, Urban Studies, Organizational Change, Procurement, Supply Chain, Human Resources Management, or related field or equivalent years of experience

· Minimum of seven years hands-on data analysis and related research within procurement, supplier diversity, supply chain management or related functions calling for policy formulation, team leadership, and interdepartmental collaboration

· Minimum of seven years of experience driving initiatives that influence DEI programs

· Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple institutional boundaries.

· Experience in working with diverse supplier networks and managing complex supplier relationships.

· Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational, analytical skills, and working independently.

· Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem solving

· Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint; Experience with PowerBi or Tableau a plus

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Functional Competencies

· Communicates effectively

o Level → advanced

o Attention to detail

o Strong written, verbal, presentation, and editorial communication skills

o Demonstrated good judgement and discretion with handling, managing, and protecting sensitive information.

· Technological Skills

o Level → intermediate/advanced

o Analytical capabilities including collecting, reporting, and interpreting DEI and business key performance indicators (KPI)

o Strong Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) required.

o Graphic design tool experience a plus

· Builds Networks

o Level → advanced

o Strong interpersonal abilities; engages well with people at all levels; builds relationships and networks; values diversity.

· Optimizes Work Processes

o Level → advanced

o Demonstrated project and event management skills.

o Effective time and project management

o Ability to manage multiple ongoing events/tasks at one time.

· Values differences

o Level → advanced

o Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

o Seeks to understand different perspectives and cultures.

o Contributes to a work climate where differences are values and supported.

o Applies others’ diverse experiences, styles, backgrounds, and perspectives to get results.

o Is sensitive to cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

Core Competencies

1. Puts Customers First

   · Provides WOW! Customer service every time, every where

   · Understands customer needs and solves their problem

   · Shows sense of urgency in correctly meeting customer needs

2. Team Player

   · Is a reliable and supportive team member

   · Values the ideas and opinions of others

   · Gives recognition for good work

   · Builds strong relationships with others

   · Resolves conflict effectively

   · Steps in and assumes leadership roles when needed

3. Communicates Effectively

   · Communicates in a clear, straightforward, respectful way

   · Demonstrates effective listening skills

   · Listens and assumes positive intent

   · Shares information in a timely manner

4. Results the Right Way

   · Does what it takes to do the job right (WITTDTJR)

   · Is accountable, takes ownership and meets commitments

   · Prioritizes well, plans, and executes in a manner of high integrity and ethics

   · Makes decisions based on what is best for AutoZone

5. Development Focused

   · Asks for and embraces feedback

   · Owns professional development

   · Provides feedback and ideas to develop others

6. Embraces Change

   · Understands and is open to change

   · Looks for ways to improve our processes, services and products while maintaining our culture of thrift

   · Encourages innovative thinking

   PHYSICAL DEMANDS

   • Typical physical demands are required to perform the work, such as some walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items