Strategic Sourcing SpecialistLOCATION: Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME: Finance Systems & Operations
DIVISION NAME: Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY: The Strategic Sourcing Specialist identifies and leads strategic sourcing initiatives, develops and drives spend category management strategies, and engages campus key stakeholders and preferred vendors to achieve desired behaviors and additional value and enhancements for campus end users.
Responsibilities: Evaluate sourcing procedures and present improvement strategies to senior management.Analyze and calculate procurement costs and develop cost reduction strategies.Negotiate contracts with key suppliers, including costs and terms of supply, service, and quality.Collaborate with Procurement department to identify and pursue new supplier opportunities.Estimate risks and apply risk minimizing techniques.Maintain strategic sourcing relations and develop strong partnerships.Develop and implement category-specific sourcing strategies aligned with university goals, ensuring integration of cost-effective and innovative procurement solutions.Maintain strong market intelligence, assessing trends and dynamics to optimize sourcing and procurement activities.Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure that sourcing strategies are effectively adopted and supported throughout the organization.Lead and manage sourcing activities, including use of Bonfire system for request for information (RFI), request for quotation (RFQ), and request for proposal (RFP) processes, supplier negotiations, and contract execution.Partner with Procurement Manager to manage supplier relationships, including conducting business reviews to ensure compliance with contract terms and performance standards.Source potential suppliers to obtain competitive quotations that comply with required specifications.Engage actively with university departments and stakeholders to define procurement needs, ensuring alignment with the university's strategic objectives and operational requirements.Build strong relationships/partnerships with the Campus Community and other functional groups to translate their needs into clear product specifications or detailed scopes of work for competitive bidding.Serve as the consultant to stakeholders providing resources and information to internal and external partners.Engage campus through training, marketing & promotion, and periodic departmental spend reviews.Lead contract negotiations.Plan and conduct negotiations to achieve pricing objectives for purchasing on behalf of the University.Serve as liaison between suppliers, departments, and other related stakeholder groups for contract development, negotiation, administration, and instruction.Create data reports. Requirements: A bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management or a related field.At least 2 years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience and negotiations.Please include a cover letter with a resume for consideration.
FLSA STATUS: United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a vibrant and diverse community of extraordinary students, talented and dedicated staff, and world-renowned faculty. Along with its state-of-the-art research facilities, WPI offers competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs, including paid time off, health insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement savings plans, tuition assistance, flexible spending accounts, and a working environment that prioritizes mental health and well-being.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & BelongingWPI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging; a place where every student, faculty member, and staff member is valued and respected so that they may study, live, and work comfortably, reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions to its institutional goals.
#J-18808-Ljbffr