Vendor Management & Purchasing Specialist

Church Mutual Insurance•Merrill, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vendor Management & Purchasing Specialist serves as a liaison between the procurement department and business units, supporting vendor management and purchasing activities. The role manages vendor onboarding and contract evaluation workflows, monitors vendor performance and compliance, procures goods and services, researches alternatives to support savings, and serves as a subject matter expert for procurement systems and processes. The position supports assigned business units by facilitating vendor onboarding, reviewing contract terms and savings opportunities, coordinating contract discussions among vendors, Legal, and business units, and ensuring required documentation is collected. It also evaluates vendor performance before contract renewals; initiates purchases; supports payment documentation, receiving, and purchase-order processes; assists with supplier RFPs; reconciles corporate purchasing card and Amazon purchases; and supports procurement systems, supplier data, reporting, and employee questions. This is a hybrid position requiring in-office work Tuesday through Thursday at one of the listed offices: Merrill, Wisconsin (preferred), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or Madison, Wisconsin.

Requirements

At least three years of experience in purchasing or working with vendors.
Experience using procurement and purchase order systems.
Bachelor's degree; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered instead.
Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to deal effectively with internal and external customers.
Ability to investigate and resolve issues.
Detail-oriented, with the ability to use good judgment and make appropriate decisions.
Ability to interact with multiple departments and employees at all organizational levels.
Ability to work with limited supervision and meet deadlines.
Strong Microsoft Word and Excel capabilities.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent changes.
Ability to collaborate with team members and treat others with dignity and respect.
Ability to influence, negotiate, collaborate, and achieve consensus with key stakeholders.
Ability to cultivate strong relationships across organizational levels and with external parties.
Significant experience collaborating across organizational boundaries and building partnerships across functions.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment while meeting deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in the insurance industry.
Experience supporting procurement technology, purchase order workflows, invoice matching, receiving processes, and supplier data management.
Experience with Unit4.

Responsibilities

Act as a liaison between the procurement department and business units for vendor management and purchasing responsibilities.
Facilitate vendor onboarding for assigned business units using the vendor management system, including evaluation and approval workflows.
Evaluate vendor contract terms, make recommendations, and review contracts for savings potential.
Facilitate resolution of contract terms among vendors, the Legal department, and business units.
Follow up with vendors to obtain documentation required to complete onboarding.
Ensure vendor performance and compliance are evaluated before contract renewals for assigned business units.
Initiate purchases of goods and services from vendors.
Research alternative vendors, products, and services to drive organizational savings.
Facilitate collection of required documentation to initiate vendor payments.
Review goods or services that have been delivered but not receipted in the procurement system.
Assist with creating and administering supplier requests for proposals (RFPs).
Reconcile corporate purchasing card transactions and Amazon account purchases, and provide supporting documentation to Accounting, including general ledger coding for G/L upload.
Support and administer procurement systems, including purchase order management, vendor onboarding, supplier data maintenance, reporting, and user support.
Assist employees with procurement processes, roles, and responsibilities.