Sourcing Specialist (IT)

Ameren • Saint Louis, MO

1d

About The Position

Ameren Services provides administrative support and services to Ameren Corporation and its operating companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates. The Sourcing Specialist supports strategic procurement and category management processes intended to create sustainable value through lower costs, improved supplier performance, and greater efficiency while considering Business Partner needs and priorities. The role works with cross-functional teams to implement category management processes and conducts research and analysis to inform decisions about spending, suppliers, and markets. It also develops category and commodity cost models and provides day-to-day support, strategic sourcing, and procurement assistance to Supply Chain staff and Business Partners.

The position applies expertise in strategic procurement, supply chain and category management, spend and market analysis, demand planning, sourcing practices, negotiations, contract structuring, supplier performance, change management, continuous improvement, and supplier and Business Partner relationship management. The Sourcing Specialist supports category strategy and sourcing activities, supplier relationships, Supply Chain strategy, and process improvement in collaboration with Portfolio Managers, Category Managers, Sourcing Analysts, Supply Chain management, and Business Partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in Engineering, Business, Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, Digital, or another related field.
• Five or more years of directly relevant work experience, including experience working with cross-functional teams; candidates with an advanced degree or Doctorate may be considered with three or more years of experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Strong customer-oriented mindset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate with suppliers and Business Partners.
• Ability to be persuasive and build credibility internally and externally.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to provide guidance to develop and evolve category management processes, develop metrics, and engage suppliers on operational, strategic, and financial issues.
• Sourcing experience, preferably in the utility, manufacturing, or construction sector.
• Strong business acumen and ability to make sound judgments.
• Proven analytical, financial, and operational skills.
• Self-starter able to prioritize and deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective team player able to work with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent business writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Demonstration of Ameren competencies: Think Customer, Inspire and Engage, Foster Innovation, Drive Results, Champion Learning, Build Trust, and Be Strategic.

Nice To Haves

• MBA, another related graduate degree, or Doctorate.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (the posting states “PSM”) certification.
• IT procurement experience.
• Sourcing experience in the utility, manufacturing, or construction sector.

Responsibilities

• Support Portfolio Managers and Category Managers in category management activities and processes that promote Business Partner satisfaction and value creation.
• Assess Business Partner requirements and help match procurement plans to business needs.
• Develop knowledge of category expertise, market dynamics and trends, suppliers, pricing, and negotiation tactics.
• Coordinate and use market, supplier, and spend analyses with Sourcing Analysts to inform category strategies and competitive solicitations such as RFQs.
• Help implement leading practices for spend and market analysis and develop value-adding sourcing strategies.
• Execute sourcing strategies based on Category Manager guidance and leading practices, applying commercial and procurement expertise.
• Develop competitive solicitation, bid evaluation, and negotiation materials; support bid evaluations, negotiation strategy development, and negotiation execution.
• Develop contracting documentation based on established and negotiated terms and conditions, pricing, performance criteria, and risk mitigations.
• Communicate with suppliers as directed and maintain positive, influential relationships with suppliers and Business Partners to support long-term, cost-effective procurement strategies.
• Support Supply Chain and category strategy development with analysis and help integrate the process with Supply Chain and Ameren business planning and budgeting cycles.
• Work with the Category Manager to align strategy-making processes with Business Partner processes.
• Assist in preparing and communicating business cases for Supply Chain initiatives and priorities.
• Apply a continuous improvement framework to sustain Supply Chain strategy and compliance with Ameren objectives.
• Help identify and implement leading practices in collaboration with Supply Chain management, and communicate initiatives and improvements to Business Partners as appropriate.

Benefits

• Medical coverage on date of hire.
• 100% employer-paid cash balance pension plan.
• 401(k) with company match, fully vested on date of hire.
• Minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and 12 paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave and family caregiver leave.
• Additional benefits and perks are described on the company’s Benefits & Perks Page for regular full-time employees.
• Roles are eligible for annual incentive payments based on individual and company performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level