Supplier Master Data Team Lead

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Job Summary:

The Supplier Master Data Team Lead serves as the functional lead for the Supplier Master Data team, providing day-to-day guidance, workload coordination, and subject matter expertise while ensuring high-quality support across Supplier Information Management (SIM) and Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes. This role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and governance of supplier master data to support procurement, invoice processing, payment execution, compliance requirements, and supplier lifecycle management.
The position leads the execution of supplier master data operations while ensuring consistent application of governance standards, service levels, and operational excellence across the team. The Team Lead will lead supplier onboarding, supplier maintenance, data validation, risk and compliance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and user experience.
This role requires advanced experience with ERP and procurement platforms (SAP, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba), supplier master data governance, workflow management, and data quality processes. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, analytical capabilities, customer service skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with global stakeholders in a fast-paced shared services environment.
This role follows an hybrid work schedule and is based in Monterrey, Mexico.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the functional lead and primary escalation point of contact for business units, suppliers, procurement teams, accounts payable, and other stakeholders regarding supplier master data requests and inquiries.
• Oversee supplier onboarding, supplier changes, banking updates, tax information updates, and supplier deactivation requests while ensuring compliance with company policies and data governance standards.
•Oversee the review and validation of supplier documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to internal controls.
• Ensure the team maintains supplier master records across ERP, procurement, and workflow systems while ensuring data integrity and consistency.
• Lead data quality reviews, duplicate analysis, supplier record audits, and data cleansing activities to improve overall master data accuracy.
• Lead root cause analysis of supplier data issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve process effectiveness.
• Oversee supplier onboarding and enablement activities, ensuring a positive supplier experience throughout the supplier lifecycle.
• Provide leadership, coaching, training and guidance to end users on supplier master data processes, policies, controls, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Lead communications for complex supplier issues with suppliers and internal stakeholders through written and verbal channels to resolve inquiries and requests.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to automate, streamline, and standardize supplier data management processes while strengthening governance and compliance controls.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Procurement, Accounts Payable, Compliance, Tax, Treasury, and Master Data Governance teams on cross-functional initiatives.
• Own reporting, metrics, and KPI monitoring related to supplier onboarding, data quality, service levels, and operational performance.
• Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT), system implementations, upgrades, and process enhancement initiatives.
• Support internal and external audit requests by providing accurate documentation and demonstrating compliance with established controls.
• Coordinate daily workload distribution and prioritization for the Supplier Master Data team.

• Monitor team productivity, quality, and SLA performance while addressing operational issues.

• Coach, mentor, and develop team members to improve technical knowledge and performance.

• Review complex transactions and provide approval or guidance as required.

• Escalate risks, resource constraints, and operational issues to management.

• Support hiring, onboarding, and training of new team members.
• Lead special projects and team initiatives as assigned, including support for transformation, automation, and continuous improvement initiative

Skills and Competencies
• Strong leadership and customer service orientation with a focus on stakeholder satisfaction, supplier experience, and business partnership.
• Understanding of supplier master data governance, internal controls, compliance requirements, and risk management practices.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and sound decision-making.
• Advanced analytical, leadership, and decision-making skills with the ability to identify trends, root causes, and process improvement opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high levels of data accuracy and integrity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Ability to lead teams while collaborating effectively across global teams and functions.
• Experience leading resolution of escalated or complex supplier data issues and serving as a subject matter expert.
• Demonstrated leadership driving continuous improvement mindset with experience supporting process optimization, automation, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools for reporting, reconciliation, and data quality management.

• Experience coordinating teams in a shared service environment.
• Ability to prioritize team workload and balance competing business priorities.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills.

Experience and Skills
• 7+ years of experience in Supplier Master Data, Supplier Information Management (SIM), Vendor Master, Master Data Management, or related shared services functions.
• 3 + years of experience leading supplier master data operations.
• Advanced understanding of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes, including procurement, supplier setup, invoice processing, payment execution, and supplier maintenance.
• Experience leading teams in a high-volume Global Business Services (GBS), Shared Services, or Finance Operations environment.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve supplier and stakeholder inquiries independently while meeting service level agreements (SLAs).
• Experience performing data quality analysis, data validation, reporting, and master data governance activities.
• Demonstrated leadership and stakeholder management experience.
• Experience supporting process improvement, automation, workflow optimization, or digital transformation initiatives is preferred.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in Supplier Master Data, Master Data Management, Procurement Operations, Shared Services, or related functions.

• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience

• Advanced hands-on experience with supplier onboarding, supplier maintenance, and master data governance processes.
• Proficiency with ERP and procurement platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba, PeopleSoft, or similar enterprise applications.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, reporting, lookups, pivot tables, and data validation techniques.
• Experience with master data management tools, workflow platforms, data quality solutions, or governance applications (e.g., Informatica, ServiceNow, MDM platforms) preferred.
• Familiarity with automation technologies, AI-enabled solutions, robotic process automation (RPA), and workflow tools is a plus.
• Experience mentoring or coaching team members preferred.

• Experience leading cross-functional projects and operational improvements.
• Experience monitoring KPI's and driving service level performance.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.