Category Buyer (RITM TBD)

About the role

Under immediate supervision, the Category Buyer I researches and analyzes suppliers to ensure they meet our Company's needs for lowest cost, best quality, on-time delivery, and safety. The role aims to reduce risk to the Company, reduce costs, save customers time, and make procurement inviting, easy, and safe.

Responsibilities

• Researches and analyzes potential suppliers; provides recommendations for suppliers that align with business strategy; ensures lowest cost, best quality, and on-time delivery.
• Conducts supplier research and analysis, including supplier discovery/due diligence, market/industry intelligence/conditions; provides recommendations and reporting.
• Coordinates sourcing initiatives by preparing and distributing RFx documents, managing vendor communications, and facilitating activities such as scoring review, reference checks, and vendor demonstrations.
• Participates in the procurement lifecycle including supplier quotes/bids, price negotiations, onboarding, supplier management, and renewals.
• Facilitates maintenance and processing of Non-Disclosure Agreements, Statement of Work, Contingent Worker Agreements, and other routine documents including templates and tool kits for procurement and vendor management processes.
• Monitors supplier performance/compliance; identifies problem areas and collaborates with stakeholders to develop recommendations to mitigate risk and improve performance.
• Regularly evaluates supplier offerings, usage, and category spend; identifies opportunities to reduce cost and improve performance; provides recommendations that support the business's strategic goals and plans.
• Stays current on the latest industry technologies, trends, and strategies.
• Assists employees, vendors, or other customers by answering questions related to sourcing and procurement processes, procedures, and services.
• Completes work in a timely and accurate manner while providing exceptional customer service.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of three years of sourcing, procurement, vendor management, analytics, inventory management, supply chain, or related experience.
• Knowledge of contracts and contractual language is beneficial.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Understanding of supplier performance management best practices is beneficial.
• Ability to collaborate and facilitate discussions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience in IT Service Management Platform (ITSM) and Procurement Performance Suite is necessary; ServiceNow and Contract Lifecycle Management platforms preferred.
• Business acumen knowledge and understanding of business and procurement issues, priorities, goals, and strategy is beneficial.
• Ability to provide innovative ideas/solutions is desirable.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Proven customer service skills, including the ability to manage and respond to different customer and supplier situations while maintaining a positive and friendly attitude.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately under pressure, meet deadlines, present a professional demeanor, and work well independently.
• Organizational and problem-solving skills, a can-do attitude, and the ability to adjust to changing requirements.
• Maintaining confidentiality, treating others with respect, and upholding Company values.

Qualifications

Associate's degree or equivalent work experience required. Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Contract Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field is preferred.

Schedule

Normal workdays are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional Saturdays, Sundays, and additional hours may be necessary.