Primary Role

The Senior Procurement Specialist manages the sourcing of goods, services, and projects while continuously identifying and implementing opportunities to lower total cost of ownership. This position performs services on high level capital and expense categories or may manage a category of goods and services spend between $100 and $175M per year.  This position is expected to make a contribution to meeting company total cost of ownership reduction goals.

Key Accountabilities

• Prepare bid packages, statement of work documents, and requests (RFP/RFI) according to specifications and business requirements while supporting business with all commercial needs including dispute resolution and contract interpretation .
• Build, lead, and maintain development of sourcing strategies from project identification through close-out including alternative sourcing options.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements within assigned categories in partnership with internal stakeholders, including legal and risk departments.
• Build and maintain Supplier/Contractor relationships with the objective of reducing total costs, increasing productivity, and eliminating inefficiencies in the supply chain.
• Lead cross functional teams to develop and implement category and supplier initiatives resulting in process efficiencies, total cost of ownership (TCO) savings in line with business goals
• Drive use of spend analytics and market research in order to develop profiles for assigned category(s).
• Drive development of KPI’s for both supplier and category performance while using subject matter expertise and supplier industry knowledge to establish "should cost" models, identify opportunities, and drive supplier negotiations.
• Drive collaborative relationships with business, state leadership and business operations management in order to gather feedback, understand issues, recognize opportunities, and influence category strategies

Knowledge/Skills

• Analytical problem-solving skills to produce best product/service at lowest total cost of ownership within required time frames.
• Business acumen to analyze commercial business, procurement issues and risk management issues with continuous improvement mindset.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms and conditions.
• Knowledge of sourcing strategies, and methodologies related to goods and services procurement.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in written presentation form.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment within Supply Chain and with other internal stakeholders.
• Knowledge of SAP (Preferred)
• Extensive knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office Products
• Understanding of Lean / Six Sigma concepts and tools
• Ability to work on multiple assignments effectively.
• Knowledge of relevant supply markets and understanding of sources of supply market intelligence.
• Experience analyzing industry trends and conditions to inform sourcing strategies
• Knowledge and ability to utilize e-procurement tools effectively.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering or related disciplines or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CPM or CPSM preferred - Other supply chain certifications a plus
• Minimum 6 years’ total work experience
• Minimum 4 years’ of procurement or category management experience Utility procurement experience a plus
• Experience working in matrixed organizations

Work Environment

• Indoor Office Environment.
• Hybrid work schedule 3 days in the office 2 days offsite. 

Travel Requirements

• Travel Required 10-20%
• Active State Driver's License required with the ability to pass a motor vehicle report

Other

• If hired for position with oversight for capital projects, 3 years experience in capital project procurement (preferably within water/wastewater industry) required.

Competencies