Specialist, Category

Spire • Saint Louis, MO

224d

About The Position

Spire is seeking a Category Specialist to work in the Saint Louis, MO operation. This position will be responsible for assisting and participating in sourcing events by executing category strategies for goods and services that meet business requirements, helping to achieve lifecycle cost savings while maintaining a high degree of quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or related field or equivalent experience.
• Three+ years of experience in sourcing / purchasing materials and services.
• Must have very strong analytical skills, strong negotiation and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication capabilities, with ability to be collaborative and influence a variety of employees, suppliers, and key decision makers and deliver results.
• Ability to effectively participate in cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with ERP procurement systems desired; experience with Oracle EBS and/or SAP preferred.
• Results-oriented, proactive and dynamic and drives with sense of urgency.

Nice To Haves

• MBA desired.
• Certification from any of the following associations preferred: Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, APICS, Institute of Supply Management/National Association of Purchasing Managers.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing for and participate in sourcing events for the business according to the annual sourcing plan and on an ad-hoc basis as required.
• Participate in cross-functional category teams.
• Partner with the business to obtain sourcing event input including specifications, supplier evaluation, negotiations, contract execution and supplier selection.
• Utilize the Supply Chain formal sourcing process, document category analyses and strategies in the category workbook.
• Analyze category spend, market data, and the supplier base, identify cost drivers, and help develop sourcing and negotiation strategies that ensure maximum quality, service and value added benefits are received from suppliers at the lowest cost of ownership to the Director of Strategic Procurement.
• Utilize standard contract terms and conditions and work with Category Managers and Legal to help ensure contract documents are in compliance with company policy, laws and regulations.
• Identify and assist Category Managers in driving continuous improvement performance jointly with the business and key suppliers, including standardization opportunities and rationalization of specifications.
• Facilitate and coordinate supplier relationship - participate in key supplier performance evaluation and informal feedback sessions, compile supplier scorecards and performance to assist Category Managers in assuring suppliers are providing quality goods and services and adhering to contracted terms and conditions.
• Support supplier diversity by incorporating diverse suppliers in sourcing events, contribute to departmental supplier diversity goals and metrics and participate in supplier diversity events.
• Perform job duties in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley 404 internal controls.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-moving and changing culture.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build and establish rapport with a diverse array of people.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Normal Work Environment - Work is normally performed in a shared office environment.
• Typically 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Overtime may be required.
• Requires approximately 10% up to 30% travel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Utilities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree