Purchasing and Supply Management Specialist

Job Description

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE :

Analyzes and monitors the Postal Service's usage of products and services in order to engage contracted services and equipment in alignment with established supplier management criteria; identifies sources, negotiates, administers and settles contracts for major or specialized purchasing programs and / or projects. Implements continuous improvement plans to include process and technological improvements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. Performs needs assessment to identify customers' needs for services, suppliers, and equipment; uses assessment to determine requirements, and solicitation criteria, including production needs, quantities, delivery requirements and industry to be sourced.

2. Develops purchasing plans and prepares solicitations and contracts; determines specific contract language and selects contract type.

3. Develops total cost of ownership models for customers, including material and / or services flow, usage, and process; determines value and non-value added to the service and / or product for the customer; develops asset recovery programs.

4. Conducts supplier value and cost analysis to address logistics, pricing, leverage, competitive advantage, and other industry factors related to purchase; performs supplier capability assessment, past performance reviews, and other review methods to create and develop supplier performance data.

5. Conducts customer satisfaction evaluations and gather supplier performance data to resolve specification problems, determine production capabilities and responsiveness, monitor quality, obtain feedback, and to support decision- making.

6. Performs market and industry trend analysis to expand and improve the supplier base and to determine availability of services, supplies equipment, and producers; benchmark industry for best usage practices and offer alternatives.

7. Requests and evaluates supplier proposals for satisfying selection criteria, awarding contracts, leverage opportunities, and pricing data.

8. Conducts negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract; obtains audits and pricing reports where needed to develop negotiation strategy.

9. Makes supplier selections and performs contract management, including supplier performance reviews and customer satisfaction evaluations.

10. Manages projects to include planning, determining resource requirements, developing timelines, risk analysis, monitoring progress, providing technical guidance and feedback.

11. Complies with Postal Service supplier diversity planning and sourcing strategies.

12. Provides technical direction and guidance on purchasing and material logistics activities.

13. May oversee the activities of lower-level employees or teams, when assigned.

REQUIREMENTS :

• Knowledge of postal, federal or commercial purchasing regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of quality principles and continuous improvement tools to include benchmarking techniques and practices.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing sufficient to develop and present briefings, and to conduct general business meetings.
• Ability to perform summary or statistical analysis on data, to interpret and report results, and make recommendations and appropriate business decisions based on the results.
• Ability to manage projects, which includes developing plans and timelines, determining resource requirements, organizing and overseeing tasks, monitoring progress, and reporting results.
• EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT : Applicants must possess one of the following degrees or professional certifications : 1. A baccalaureate or post-graduate degree from an accredited college or university, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields : supply chain management, accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, material management, logistics and inventory control, quantitative methods, or organization and management. 2. Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) qualification or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). 3. Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or Certified in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM) from the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). 4. Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), or Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) from the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).

Special note : a candidate with a media buying, procurement or marketing background is preferred, but NOT REQUIRED! If you have a different background, you are still encouraged to apply!