Senior or Lead Supplier Relationship Manager
Principal Financial Services, Inc., Charlotte, NC, United States
What You'll Do
Are you passionate about driving strategic impact through strong supplier partnerships? Do you excel at turning complexity into clarity, creating value, and influencing executives?
If so, you could be the next Lead or Senior Supplier Relationship Manager at Principal Financial Group.
In this high‑visibility role, you will oversee a portfolio of Principal’s most critical suppliers—ensuring exceptional performance, managing risk, aligning supplier strategy with business goals, and influencing long‑term value creation. You'll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and a key connector between Procurement, the business, and supplier executives.
This is a role for someone who thrives in a strategic, relationship‑driven environment and knows how to elevate supplier partnerships beyond cost management—into innovation, performance, and measurable business impact.
Drive Strategic Alignment & Innovation
Champion the strategic value each supplier delivers and ensure strong alignment with Principal’s business objectives.
Challenge suppliers to bring forward innovation and competitive advantages.
Lead Supplier Performance & Issue Resolution
Define, communicate, and monitor performance expectations using SLAs and operational metrics.
Identify root causes of performance issues and drive corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Manage Supplier Risk
Partner with risk teams to understand assessments, controls, and mitigation strategies.
Stay ahead of emerging risks tied to supplier operations, products, and services.
Optimize Spend & Budget Discipline
Track actual vs. planned spend and communicate trends, overages, credits, and cost‑reduction opportunities.
Influence senior stakeholders to drive responsible financial management.
Steer Strategic Planning & Execution
Collaborate with Procurement and business leaders to develop operational plans and deliver high value across the enterprise.
Represent Supplier Management in executive‑level conversations and lead execution against key objectives.
Lead Change & Advance Best Practices
Stay attuned to procurement and supplier management trends—including AI‑enabled efficiencies—and advocate for improvements that elevate value.
Provide Thought Leadership & Mentorship
Bring a growth mindset, external insights, and best practices into the organization.
Coach and mentor less‑senior team members to strengthen our Supplier Management talent pipeline.
Who You Are
6+ years of experience in supplier management, sourcing, or category management.
Proven ability to lead executive‑level discussions and influence senior decision makers.
Strong prioritization skills with a track record of driving complex work to completion.
Ability to communicate complex ideas simply and clearly, enabling alignment and action.
Experience applying best practices in supplier management, ideally within regulated or similar industries.
Skilled at using metrics and KPIs to evaluate performance and shape conversations with the business and suppliers.
Strategic, relationship‑driven, and proactive in identifying risks and opportunities.
Exposure to leveraging AI for efficiency and experience tracking supplier‑related metrics is a plus.
We’ll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills including 9+ years of experience in supplier management, sourcing, or category management.
Salary Range Information Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non‑sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Details
Des Moines, IA:
Senior Supplier Relationship Manager: $110,200 - $148,200 / year
Lead Supplier Relationship Manager: $127,000 - $160,000 / year
Charlotte, NC:
Senior Supplier Relationship Manager: $116,000 - $156,000 / year
Lead Supplier Relationship Manager: $127,000 - $160,000 / year
Time Off Program Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short‑term illness. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.
Pension Eligible Yes
Work Authorization/Sponsorship At this time, we’re not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1‑OPT, F1‑CPT, H‑1B, TN, L‑1, J‑1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links. Nonimmigrant Workers, Green Card for Employment‑Based Immigrants
Investment Code of Ethics For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.
Experience Principal At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose‑led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well‑being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.
Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Posting Window We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.
Original Posting Date 3/3/2026
Most Recently Posted Date 3/3/2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr
If so, you could be the next Lead or Senior Supplier Relationship Manager at Principal Financial Group.
In this high‑visibility role, you will oversee a portfolio of Principal’s most critical suppliers—ensuring exceptional performance, managing risk, aligning supplier strategy with business goals, and influencing long‑term value creation. You'll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and a key connector between Procurement, the business, and supplier executives.
This is a role for someone who thrives in a strategic, relationship‑driven environment and knows how to elevate supplier partnerships beyond cost management—into innovation, performance, and measurable business impact.
Drive Strategic Alignment & Innovation
Champion the strategic value each supplier delivers and ensure strong alignment with Principal’s business objectives.
Challenge suppliers to bring forward innovation and competitive advantages.
Lead Supplier Performance & Issue Resolution
Define, communicate, and monitor performance expectations using SLAs and operational metrics.
Identify root causes of performance issues and drive corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Manage Supplier Risk
Partner with risk teams to understand assessments, controls, and mitigation strategies.
Stay ahead of emerging risks tied to supplier operations, products, and services.
Optimize Spend & Budget Discipline
Track actual vs. planned spend and communicate trends, overages, credits, and cost‑reduction opportunities.
Influence senior stakeholders to drive responsible financial management.
Steer Strategic Planning & Execution
Collaborate with Procurement and business leaders to develop operational plans and deliver high value across the enterprise.
Represent Supplier Management in executive‑level conversations and lead execution against key objectives.
Lead Change & Advance Best Practices
Stay attuned to procurement and supplier management trends—including AI‑enabled efficiencies—and advocate for improvements that elevate value.
Provide Thought Leadership & Mentorship
Bring a growth mindset, external insights, and best practices into the organization.
Coach and mentor less‑senior team members to strengthen our Supplier Management talent pipeline.
Who You Are
6+ years of experience in supplier management, sourcing, or category management.
Proven ability to lead executive‑level discussions and influence senior decision makers.
Strong prioritization skills with a track record of driving complex work to completion.
Ability to communicate complex ideas simply and clearly, enabling alignment and action.
Experience applying best practices in supplier management, ideally within regulated or similar industries.
Skilled at using metrics and KPIs to evaluate performance and shape conversations with the business and suppliers.
Strategic, relationship‑driven, and proactive in identifying risks and opportunities.
Exposure to leveraging AI for efficiency and experience tracking supplier‑related metrics is a plus.
We’ll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills including 9+ years of experience in supplier management, sourcing, or category management.
Salary Range Information Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non‑sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Details
Des Moines, IA:
Senior Supplier Relationship Manager: $110,200 - $148,200 / year
Lead Supplier Relationship Manager: $127,000 - $160,000 / year
Charlotte, NC:
Senior Supplier Relationship Manager: $116,000 - $156,000 / year
Lead Supplier Relationship Manager: $127,000 - $160,000 / year
Time Off Program Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short‑term illness. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.
Pension Eligible Yes
Work Authorization/Sponsorship At this time, we’re not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1‑OPT, F1‑CPT, H‑1B, TN, L‑1, J‑1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links. Nonimmigrant Workers, Green Card for Employment‑Based Immigrants
Investment Code of Ethics For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.
Experience Principal At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose‑led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well‑being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.
Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Posting Window We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.
Original Posting Date 3/3/2026
Most Recently Posted Date 3/3/2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr