Sourcing Agent

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The Sourcing Agent primarily handles low to mid-range sourcing requirements typically for materials and less complex services. This position assists with the development and execution of strategic category plans for assigned categories, to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend and total cost of ownership for the category. Leads supplier management and client relationship management. Responsible for ensuring policy compliance, budget control, and process efficiencies by seeking and selecting the lowest total cost of ownership via strategic sourcing to procure goods and services. This includes negotiations, market intelligence, creation of formal contracts, project planning and management, contract close outs, change orders, etc. ensuring that suppliers meet the specific terms of the contracts and maintain complete compliance of those terms and monitor the success of projects through supplier and project management. This can entail all aspects of the procure to pay process in order to determine the best interests and needs of the Cooperative.

• Key Responsibilities
• Lead cross-functional teams through sourcing process. Conduct spend analysis, needs assessment, benchmarking and business case development. Identify potential cost savings, spend reduction, supplier consolidation and standardization opportunities. Recommend category sourcing strategies. Lead supplier selection and recommendation activities including : qualitative and quantitative analysis, selection criteria, long and short lists, RFI and RFP development and analysis. Lead development and execution of negotiation strategies. Work with Legal and Risk Management to identify and mitigate contract risks.
• Maintain industry and market trend knowledge through research and networking. Consider environmental impact of sourcing decisions. Create commodity specific sourcing strategies to optimize the supply base, diversity spending and total cost of ownership. Achieve category savings. Develop and manage supplier scorecards and supporting programs. Address and resolve issues.
• Build and sustain business partnerships with internal clients. Maintain a customer focus through communication and understanding the line of business needs. Improve client understanding and commitment to the Supply Chain Policy and industry best practices. Work with subject matter specialists to gather and assess business requirements. Monitor and maximize customer satisfaction using standardized reporting metrics. Achieve customer satisfaction targets including due date compliance.
• Administer all aspects of assigned contracts, categories, and commodities. This includes but is not limited to negotiating commercial terms, monitoring and managing supplier performance, contract releases, change orders / field work directives, and assist with the development of Board Resolutions required for the approval of projects, award of contracts, as well as related amendments and closeouts.
• Ensure that schedules are adhered to and continually monitors projects as to time requirements and completion dates.
• Follow Supply Chain strategic sourcing requirements and fully utilizes work management tools and proper system functionality.
• Maintains all pertinent information on qualified suppliers and researchs the market for competitive solutions as well as cost drivers and material costs.
• Qualify new and existing suppliers as required.
• Assist with supplier management and related process improvement including on-time delivery, reporting, reviews, etc.
• Manage and perform contract releases for assigned categories and reduce contract lead time through automation methods including analyzing high volume transactions and converting to catalog transactions.
• Typically handle transactional sourcing requirements.
• Assist in the development of annual budgets.
• Guide project staff and advise senior managers on contractual issues based on knowledge of contractual documentation.
• Address and resolve all related issues including but not limited to supplier performance, invoice resolution, business unit integration, process recommendations, etc.
• Utilize technology, especially ERP Sourcing tools, to optimize work process.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned by management.
• Key Requirements

Education :

• Bachelor's degree in a related area. ISM certification (CPSM or CSM) required within four (4) years of employment. Any equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

Experience :

• Five (5) years related experience.
• Peoplesoft experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities :

• Be able to handle confidential information and material without concern for improper disclosure.
• Strong working knowledge of bid specifications, contracts, and legal terminology.
• Strong negotiation skills and well versed in fundamentals of economics.
• Strong personal computer skills including ability to learn PeopleSoft program for purchasing and inventory.
• Competencies
• Building Customer Loyalty
• Communication
• Managing Work
• Technical / Professional Knowledge & Skills
• Initiating Action
• Negotiation
• Working Conditions
• Usual office conditions with regular lifting up to 10 lbs. and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional travel to power plants, service centers, substations, construction sites and supplier sites required. Occasional out-of-state and overnight travel.
• Work may be required outside of normal work hours.
Benefits :
• 401(k)
• 401(k) 4% Match
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location : In person