Sr. Sourcing Specialist (IT)

Ameren•Saint Louis, MO

22h

About The Position

The Senior Sourcing Specialist supports strategic procurement and category management processes that create sustainable value through lower costs, improved supplier performance and efficiency with a keen appreciation/consideration for Business Partner needs and priorities. Senior Sourcing Specialists are responsible for providing working direction, mentoring, and support to Sourcing Specialists within their portfolio. Works with cross-functional teams in the implementation of category management processes. Conducts research and analysis to develop strategy and drive decision-making regarding spend, suppliers and markets. Develops category and commodity cost models. Works with Supply Chain (SC) staff and Business Partners to provide day-to-day support, strategic sourcing and procurement, and respond to questions and solve problems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in Engineering, Business, Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, Digital, or related field
Excellent analytical, problem-solving and time-management skills
Proficient with the MS Office suite
Seven or more years of directly relevant work experience, including experience working with cross-functional teams
Sourcing experience, preferably within the utility, manufacturing, or construction sector.
Project management knowledge and experience.
Content leadership.
Coaching & team development.
Management influence.
Independent thinking.
Critical thinking skills.
Ability to work independently and handle complex situations.
Strong business acumen and communication skills with the ability to make sound judgments.
Proven analytic, financial and operational skills.
Strong self-starter with the ability to prioritize and deliver on deadlines in a fast paced environment.
Effective team player with the ability to work with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent communication, business writing and presentation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Power Point, Excel, Word, etc.)

Nice To Haves

MBA, other related graduate degree, or Doctorate preferred.
Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar process improvement models preferred
Certified Professional in Supply Management, (CPSM) preferred
IT Procurement experience preferred.
Candidates with an advanced degree or Doctorate will be considered with five or more years of experience.

Responsibilities

Support Portfolio Managers and Category Managers in developing category strategies for category spend of higher complexity and/or magnitude.
Support regular assessment of Business Partner requirements and matching procurement plans to meet/adapt to business needs.
Seek to develop category expertise, market dynamics and trends knowledge, insights about suppliers, pricing, and negotiating tactics.
Coordinate with and leverage market, supplier, and spend analyses with Sourcing Analysts to inform category strategies and competitive solicitations (e.g., RFQs).
Help implement, in collaboration with Portfolio Managers and Category Managers, leading practices for spend/market analysis to develop value-adding sourcing strategies.
Execute sourcing strategies based on Category Manager guidance and leading practices and provide commercial and procurement expertise to deliver optimal outcomes.
Develop competitive solicitation, bid evaluation, and negotiations materials.
Support bid evaluation, negotiation strategy development, and negotiation execution.
Develop contracting documentation based on established (and negotiated) terms and conditions, pricing, performance criteria, and any risk mitigations.
As directed, communicates with suppliers and is knowledgeable about procurement practices and category strategy.
Develop, maintain, and appropriately build positive and influential relationships with suppliers and Business Partners to assure Ameren of long-term, cost-effective, procurement strategy in procurement of key services and goods.
Support the SC and category strategy development process with analysis and helps integrate it with regular business planning and budgeting cycles for SC and Ameren.
Work closely with Category Manager to align strategy making processes with Business Partner processes.
Assist in the preparation and communication of business cases to support SC initiatives and priorities.
Execute category management improvement efforts or SC projects identified by the Director, Portfolio Managers, and Category Managers.
Use continuous improvement framework to sustain SC strategy and compliance with Ameren objectives.
To achieve process excellence and stay current with industry innovations, the Specialist helps identify and implement, in collaboration with the Supply Chain management, leading practices throughout the organization.
Communicate initiatives and improvements to Business Partners as appropriate.
Provide work direction, mentor, and support to Sourcing Specialists within their portfolios.
Help identify and elevate talent within the pool of Sourcing Specialists.