Margin is leaking through the supply base and the portfolio company either does not know where or cannot move fast enough to stop it. You come in to find it, capture it, and leave behind a sourcing function that holds the gain after you go.
This role sits close to EBITDA. Sponsors expect quantified, validated savings against a real baseline — not an announced savings number that never reaches the P&L.
Baseline the spend. Rank categories by capture speed and value. Open negotiations on the top three. Deliver a documented savings pipeline the CFO will sign off on.
Strong plus: tariff and trade compliance exposure; nearshoring supplier qualification; distressed or liquidity-constrained environments; VDS-adjacent procurement consulting methodology experience.