Sr. Specialist, Indirect Strategic Sourcing

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

The Senior Specialist leads strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned categories and business units for Indirect Strategic Sourcing. This role directs supplier qualification, competitive sourcing, commercial negotiations, supplier selection, and agreement development while partnering with Category Manager to deliver category objectives. The Senior Specialist serves as the sourcing subject matter expert for assigned initiatives and provides coaching and guidance to analysts, interns, and co-op resources.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or related field required
5+ years sourcing, procurement, contract management, supplier management, or related experience.
Advanced sourcing, procurement, and supplier management expertise with demonstrated success leading complex sourcing initiatives.
Proven ability to independently lead RFx events, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and supplier selection activities.
Strong commercial acumen and ability to evaluate sourcing alternatives using financial, operational, and risk-based criteria.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Advanced negotiation capability with the ability to structure strategy, manage trade-offs, and secure favorable commercial outcomes.
Knowledge of manufacturing operations, supplier quality systems, engineering specifications, and global supply chains.
Understanding of commodity markets, total landed cost, inventory drivers, logistics, and low-cost-country sourcing.
Excellent project leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to communicate sourcing recommendations, risks, and financial impacts to leaders and stakeholders.
Advanced analytical capability with proficiency in business cases, financial modeling, savings validation, and supplier performance analysis.
Knowledge of indirect procurement categories including services, MRO, facilities, logistics, software, capital equipment, and professional services.
Understanding of contract structures, service-level agreements, and commercial risk management.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives from opportunity identification through supplier recommendation.
Develop sourcing strategies for assigned projects.
Lead supplier qualification and evaluation activities.
Develop and execute RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
Lead supplier negotiations within approved authority levels.
Develop award recommendations and supporting business cases.
Coordinate commercial agreement development with Legal and stakeholders.
Manage supplier relationships associated with sourcing initiatives.
Quantify savings, cost avoidance, and value-delivery opportunities.
Facilitate cross-functional sourcing teams and stakeholder alignment.
Support Category Manager through market intelligence and sourcing recommendations.
Support Category Manager in supplier performance management through KPIs and business reviews to drive continuous improvement and mitigate risk.
Mentor Analysts, Interns, and Co-Ops.
Complete sourcing-to-deployment handoff documentation and support implementation readiness.