Strategic Sourcing Manager

Company: ACT
Location: Iowa City
Posted on: May 4, 2020

Job Description:

OverviewACT is a nonprofit organization helping people achieve educational and workplace success. Our programs are designed to boost lifelong learning in schools and workplaces around the world. Whether it's guiding students along their learning paths, enabling companies to develop their workforce, fostering parent, teacher, and counselor understanding of student progress, guiding job seekers toward career success, or informing policymakers about education and workforce issues. ACT is passionate about making a difference in all we do.

Learn more about working at ACT at act.org!ResponsibilitiesThe primary role of the Strategic Sourcing Manager is to manage the vendor engagement process at ACT. This includes managing the lifecycle of the vendor engagement to ensure that sourcing and procurement practices are executed in accordance with the Sourcing and Procurement Policy and Standard Operating Procedure, implementing sourcing initiatives and driving the use and adoption of supply chain best practices.

The Strategic Sourcing Manager collaborates closely with Category Teams, including Vendor Managers, Contract Services, and Business Area subject matter experts to establish agreements with vendors. Strategic Sourcing Leads will contribute, as key subject matter experts, in the negotiations with vendors.

This position contributes to the development and execution of sourcing strategies that support corporate strategy, drive the lowest total cost of ownership, and drive growth and key capabilities across the enterprise.

This role will provide guidance and continuously seek opportunities to bring together individuals with different perspectives and opinions, drive all parties toward a common goal and promote a transparent strategic sourcing and procurement process.

Typical work-related activities include:

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• Manages contract and statement of work reviews, purchase requests, agreement renewals and contract re-negotiations, as appropriate, to drive consistency, efficiencies and ensure most favorable terms while maintaining mutually beneficial outcomes
  
• Recognizes new opportunities for cost or process savings, increased vendor service levels and vendor risk mitigation, including leading change initiatives and improving the overall "value chain" through strategic sourcing
  
  
• In conjunction with the Category Teams, including Vendor Managers, Contract Services and Business Area stakeholders, develops and manages all sourcing processes including Requests for Proposal, Requests for Quotation and Requests for Information
  
• Analyzes spend data/trends to identify and develop overall strategic sourcing initiatives to drive cost savings and process efficiencies
  
  
  QualificationsEducation:
  
  
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  • Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, technology or related area required;
    
  • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
    
    Experience:
    
    
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    • A minimum of 3 years of experience that includes progressively responsible sourcing, procurement, supply chain, procurement and/or contract management related experience required
      
    • Experience with supplier identification, selection and the negotiation process required
      
    • Understanding of contracting processes including SOW's, Terms and Conditions and Software EULA's required
      
    • Experience in the procurement of computer and technology hardware, software and related services
      
    • Experience with purchase order management
      
    • Proven ability to adhere to key business processes
      
    • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and support activities within a single job function
      
    • Conflict management experience
      
    • Experience leading projects and initiatives
      
    • Experience with data analytics
      
    • Supplier diversity experience
      
      
    • Experience leading projects and initiatives and requires the ability to work with a high degree of autonomy
      
      Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
      
      
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      • Knowledge of purchasing information technology and automated data processing applications (ERP Systems)
        
      • Knowledge of supplier process best practices and industry trends
        
      • Demonstrated ability to lead multiple sourcing initiatives, influence others and drive change
        
      • Ability to effectively manage multiple stakeholders at one time, recognizing their positions as subject matter experts
        
      • Self-motivated, results focused with a positive attitude
        
      • Ability to work independently within a team environment
        
      • Ability to succeed under pressure, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a rapid-paced environment
        
      • Excellent decision-making and project management skills
        
      • Adept and persuasive communicator (verbal, written)
        
      • Cross functional / organizational team facilitation skills (internal and external)
        
      • Demonstrated data analysis capability
        
      • Demonstrated negotiation skills
        
      • In-depth knowledge of MS Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
        

Keywords: ACT, Iowa City , Strategic Sourcing Manager, Executive , Iowa City, Iowa