Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Position Summary

Sourcing Specialist to be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for specific products and services (commodities) in support of Operations. The individual will be responsible for all phases of the process from strategy development and supplier selection through relationship management to ensure that we deliver the lowest total cost solutions.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for strategic sourcing management goals for specific commodities, leveraging our corporate spend where appropriate, and implement action items to ensure that goals are achieved.
• Generate and implement efficient sourcing and category management strategies in support of selecting Approved, Preferred and / or Strategic supplier relationships.
• Negotiate agreements with suppliers to drive lowest total cost of ownership, and develop “win-win” strategies that achieve sustainable relationships with suppliers.
• Implement supplier agreements/contracts when beneficial by working with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to reach agreement on contract terms and conditions.
• Identify potential risks related to suppliers and supply chain and apply risk minimizing techniques to mitigate those risks.
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models.
• Research and understand basic cost drivers (e.g. raw material pricing, tariffs, etc.), and shifts in the negotiating power of suppliers, that may affect overall supplier performance and / or result in purchase price variance.
• Analyze industry trends and evolving technology to proactively identify supply base issues to minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and utilize emerging opportunities.
• Maintain and develop supplier relationships (trade shows, supplier meetings, conferences, etc.).
• Participate in planning and budget development related to specific commodities to support strategic business goals.
• Support supplier management program with key suppliers including metrics, performance goals and improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies and continuously improve productivity and efficiency of processes throughout the department.
• Support team in developing forecasts for future demand and place orders in a timely fashion based upon vendor lead-time.
• Help to coordinate changes with cross-functional team to minimize waste related to excess and obsolescence.

Qualifications, Skills And Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years purchasing/strategic sourcing experience along with 3+ year’s relevant operations/supply chain experience.
• Strong preference for some international sourcing experience.
• Ability to manage projects and establish clear goals and accountabilities to ensure successful delivery (on time, within budget, meeting agreed upon success criteria).
• Knowledge of the legal terminology and language related to supplier and/or vendor agreements and contracts.
• Advanced systems skills and working knowledge of MS Office, with advanced Excel knowledge.
• Must have excellent presentation and communication, both written and verbal.