Sr Procurement Analyst

Job Description
For this opening we will consider candidates from the following locations: El Segundo,CA,United States | Chicago,IL,United States;Woburn,MA,United States
West Technology Group is hiring a Sr. Procurement Analyst in Chicago, IL, El Segundo, CA, Woburn, MA or Toronto, Canada. This position will offer a hybrid work schedule; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday in the office with the option of working remotely on Monday & Friday.
Candidates with experience in technology procurement will be highly considered.
BASIC FUNCTION
The Sr. Procurement Analyst will be responsible for acting as a subject matter expert, and partnering with upper-level internal customers and end user departments to conduct proactive and complex research necessary to assist and makerecommendations in regards to assigned large-spend, high-visibility category (e.g., software, hardware, etc.) procurement processes, vendor options, and event sourcing activities; lead and participate in the utilization of an enterprise-wide scope view necessary to create leverage for large-spend, high-visibility purchasing activities, which may includeeducating end user departments and other team members on the Company's strategic sourcing process and evaluating benefit/cost ratios and return on investment (ROI) calculations for the enterprise as a whole; lead and perform a variety of analysis and monitor negotiation activities of new and existing contracts and service agreements for a variety of large-spend, high-visibility products and services in order to meet the Company's business needs, while remaining cost effective; lead and participate in the creation, maintenance, and evaluation of preferred major supplier lists and enforce adherence to utilization of authorized preferred vendors; assist team with providinginformation to internal businessunit leaders in regards to preferred majorsupplier recommendations and re-evaluations.
MAJOR JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES
Category Analysis Functions - Act as a subject matter expert, and partner with upper­ level internal customers and end user departments to conduct proactive and complex research necessary to assist and make recommendations in regards to assigned large-spend, high-visibility category (e.g., software, hardware, etc.) procurement processes, vendor options and event sourcing activities, while ensuring adherence with corporate and departmental policies and procedures

• Lead and participate in the utilization of an enterprise-wide scope view necessary to create leverage for large-spend, high-visibility purchasing activities, which may include educating end user departments and other team members on the Company's strategic sourcing process and evaluating benefit/cost ratios and ROI calculations for the enterprise as a whole

• Serve as a main point-of-contact and subject matter expert for all day-to-day issues regarding assigned large-spend category/subcategory and applicable contracts for internal customers from across the enterprise, escalating issues outside of employee's scope to supervisor as applicable
• Engage various upper-level business unit leaderscross-functionally to support the establishment of complex contracts and purchases in line with the assigned large-spend category sourcing plans, and deliver contracts and purchases that meet the business needs of multiple users across the enterprise at a lower total cost
• Identify and investigate continuous improvement opportunities within the strategic sourcing group and throughout the procurement function, addressing potential changeswith the team,and providing educationas applicable to team members
• Lead and administer complex, multi-level purchases, from end-to-end, and as assigned,assist with large scale analysis,support, and input onlarger, complex procurements
• Analyze use of negotiated large-spend contractsfor assigned high-visibility categories and work with suppliers and business unit stakeholders and communications team to expand visibility and usage across applicableCompany entities
• Develop a specific, in-depthknowledge and expertise base for both the purchasing market and technical aspects, as they may relate to multiple assigned categories, as necessary to collaborate with upper-level businessunit leaders on future procurement activities

Lead Sourcing & Contract Negotiation - Lead and perform a variety of analysis and monitor negotiation activities of new and existing contracts and service agreements for a variety of large-spend, high-visibility products and services in order to meet the Company's business needs, while remaining cost effective, according to established company and departmental policies and procedures

• Assist team members with effectively preparing for contract negotiations by thoroughly researching various vendors, understanding multiple markets, cost drivers, products, service options, leverage positions, and creative solutions to develop a strong negotiating position within assigned category
• Ensure a proper balanceexists between multipleproduct needs, pricing,terms, schedules, and related contractvariables for large-spend, high-visibility categories
• Actively pursue negotiated concessions while maintaining positivevendor relations, ensuringall Company purchasing policies and procedures are maintained
• Assist leadership with the development of new purchasing policies and procedures by recommending changesas necessary from day-to-day activityand market fluctuations
• Lead and participate in the creation,administration, and management of Request for Proposal (RFP)and Request for Quote (RFQ) documents within assigned large-spend category
• Lead the collection, organization, and evaluation of data to assist in the development and review of comprehensive RFPs, RFQs assembling proposalsto effectively defineneeds, wants, expectations, bid specifications, and deadlines
• Present and recommend final negotiated contracts to supervisor for final approval
• Serve as liaison and subject matter expert with local, regional, and national suppliers and develop contacts and sources of information to aid in future vendor selection and negotiations within assigned category
• Continuously keep up-to-date with purchasing laws with legalcontract provisions
• Research purchase and vendor data, analyzing results and providing recommendations to the appropriate department
• Coordinate with end user (e.g., businessunit leadership, etc.) or necessaryinternal department (e.g.,legal, finance, etc.) on approvalof contract terms and conditions

Vendor Relations - Develop and maintain multiple vendor relationships for the purchase of large-spend goods and services within assigned category, ensuring the adherence to corporate and department policies and procedures

• Lead and participate in the creation, maintenance, and evaluation of preferred major supplier lists and enforce adherence to utilization of authorized preferred vendors
• Assist team with providing information to internal business unit leaders in regards to preferred major supplier recommendations and re-evaluations
• Lead the analysis of current vendor spending activity and assist team members in identifying trends to develop key vendor relationships and opportunities
• Lead the process of defining, consolidating, and recommending preferred vendorsfor various large-spend categories to optimize sourcingeffectiveness and maintainstable vendor relations
• Assist team members in balancing benefits of preferred vendor statusesagainst competitive vendorpools to most effectively manageboth large and small spend vendor relationships
• Evaluate benefitsof utilizing local,regional, and/or national vendorsand distributors to meet the company's needs
• Scorecard key vendor performance levelsand conduct formalbusiness reviews to ensure acceptable vendor product and service levels in meeting expectations and contractualcommitments
• Monitor suppliers' performance and adherence to service level agreements during life of contracts within assigned category
• Assist team members with identifying future vendor optionsin new markets as applicable

Staff Assistance - Provide assistance to assigned co-workers ensuring adherence to departmental policies and procedures

• Provide support by answering questions ensuring functions are efficiently performed in a quality-oriented manner
• Provide assistance and guidance to co-workers on best approaches, practices, and lessons learned
• Keep up-to-date on current workflowand department procedures in order to answer questions, provide work direction, or complete tasks
• Train and mentor assigned co-workers, as necessary
• Provide departmental support in problem resolution, ensuring issues are resolved in an accurate, timely, and professional manner
• Assist staff in strivingto ensure highestlevel of quality,responsive service possibleis provided
• May be required to support supervisor in responding to inquiries and conducting research and analysis

Problem Resolution - Proactively oversee the activities involved in quality resolution of problems related to area of responsibility

• Respond with a sense of urgency to problems escalated to employee's level
• Escalate to supervisor any situation outside the employee's control that could adversely impact the services being provided
• Place the highest priority on providing quality service by ensuring the unique needs of internal/external customers are met
• Ensure quality resolution and thorough and accurate documentation of issues
• Provide analysis and feedbackto management staffand appropriate departments regarding recurring problems, recommending improvements aimed at reducing future occurrences of problems
• Participate in creating,administering, and continuously updating procedures for resolution of all related issues

Team Interface/Customer Service - Establish and maintain a professional relationship with internal/external customers, team members and department contacts

• Cooperate with team members to meet goals or completetasks
• Provide quality customer servicethat exceeds customerexpectations and improveslevel of servicebeing provided
• Treat all internal/external customers, team members and department contacts with dignity/respect
• Escalate to supervisor any situation outside the employee's control that could adversely impact the services being provided

Mental and Physical Requirements

• This position will be exposed mainly to an indoor office environment and will be expected to work near or around computers, telephones, and printers
• The nature of the work in this positionis sedentary and the incumbent will be sittingmost of the time
• Essential physical functions of the job include typing,grasping, pulling hand over hand,and repetitive motions to utilize general computer software/hardware continuously throughout the work day
• Essential mental functions of this position include concentrating on tasks, reading information, and verbal/written communication to others continuously throughout the work day

Related Duties as Assigned

• The job description documents the general nature and level of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, and responsibilities required of job incumbents
• Consequently, job incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required
• Also note, that reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions outlined above

• Please contact your local Employee Relations representative to request a review of any such accommodations

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicant for this job will be expected to meet the following minimum qualifications.
Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, IT management, engineering, supply chain management, finance, or related field required.
• Equivalent work experience in a similar position may be substituted for educational requirements.

Experience

• Minimum five years of sourcing/procurement experience with emphasis on technology products and services is required, preferably in a global multi-company, multi-location environment

Other

• Advanced knowledgeof Microsoft Excel required
• Intermediate knowledgeof Microsoft Word and PowerPoint required
• Certification in a purchasing relatedfield preferred (e.g.,Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in SupplyManagement

What's next...
Qualified candidates will be contacted by a member of our in-house recruitment team to kick-start the recruitment process (preliminary assessments and/or telephone interview).
Don't meet every single requirement?
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At West, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidates for this or other roles.
ABOUT US
Connecting people with each other and the right information is mission critical. Our Company develops innovative cloud-based technology to make it easier, more effective and more efficient to make the right connections. Our solutions put people in sync with each other and the right information, so they gain the insight needed to reach better decisions on the issues that matter most. We do it with a laser focus on reliability.
The Company is a leading provider of technology-driven, communication services, serving Fortune 1000 companies and other clients in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, retail, financial services, public safety, technology and healthcare. For more than 30 years, we have been leading the way in hosted and cloud-based solutions.
Our solutions connect people with each other and the information needed to gain insights for better decisions on the issues that matter most - Information to Insight.
Our Company has sales and/or operations in the United States, Canada, Europe the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Latin and South America and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans/Disables and Other Protected Categories. Our Company welcomes and encourages applications of individuals with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
We don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, support it, and build success upon it. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and no part of this advertisement is intended to discriminate on any grounds.