Company Name
Oaktree Capital Management
Search Job Title
Director of Purchasing (75% indirect / 25% direct procurement)
Client Profile
Oaktree Capital Management, an investment company with $200B in investment capital, specializing in credit, equity, and real estate. The company has 1,200 employees and has been in business for 30 years.
Role Objectives & Challenges
In need of establishing an updated supplier management system, the company embarked on a journey to find a Director of Purchasing. There was a strong need for better budget management to cut costs and improve efficiency. The goal was to onboard a procurement professional who understood the complexities of supplying an organization of this size. This role required building up both direct and indirect purchasing and sourcing functions.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
The ideal candidate needed expertise in sourcing IT and finished goods, with an understanding of both direct and indirect procurement. Preference was given to candidates from smaller companies with experience in budgetary expansion. While industry experience was flexible, strong consideration was given to professionals from a banking investment firm background or those managing back-office operations in a more brick-and-mortar retail setting. The preference was for someone who had built procurement functions within a retail environment. The search initially focused on the Los Angeles area but was later expanded to the entire state.
The Hire & Results
We worked directly with the Head of Human Resources to develop a pipeline of 117 candidates, that was refined to a shortlist of four submittals. The VP of Operations was involved in a consultative capacity during the search. The search timeline was slightly extended due to the holidays and wildfires, but despite these challenges, a candidate was successfully placed within 90 days. The chosen candidate came from a real estate and infrastructure investment group, a background that closely aligned with Oak Tree Capital’s needs and profile.
