Procurement Specialist- Hybrid

Job Summary

This position is accountable for cost-effective life-cycle management, including strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier relationship management of commercial categories. Responsibilities include managing commercial relationships, developing and implementing subcontracting types and strategies, performing subcontractor qualifications, negotiations, award and administration of contracts within the appropriate ERP and related systems. The candidate must negotiate contract terms and conditions and learn technical scopes of work. This role requires knowledge of Federal and other Procurement Regulations and the ability to negotiate terms and conditions associated with assigned Purchase Orders or Contracts under the supervision or guidance from senior-level Procurement personnel or the Law Department. Preference is given to candidates with procurement experience in the HR Benefits Health & Welfare space.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic sourcing for the Client's Human Resources (HR) business unit, including understanding and participating in strategic sourcing initiatives, solicitation, negotiating contracts, and management of resulting follow-on commercial activities and relationships.
• Interface and partner with stakeholders of all levels for assigned commercial category on a regular basis and maintain appropriate service levels such as sourcing project cycle time, serving as a recognized source of expertise for the sourcing function.
• Execute strategic sourcing projects and manage category life-cycle using the Client Sourcing Management Process and applicable ERP and other systems to obtain the best commercial solutions for the Client, considering Total Cost of Ownership and applicable regulatory, grant, and other flow-down requirements.
• Responsible for pre-award activities and post-award administration, including chairing pre-bid and category kickoff meetings, risk analysis, negotiating terms and conditions, payment terms, liquidated damages, and incentive fees. Perform post-award cost analysis, evaluations, and change and claim management.
• Negotiate contracts involving variable cost structures and non-standard Terms and Conditions with guidance; interact with customers both internal and external to provide a high level of collaboration; and assist business units in finalizing Statements of Work from a commercial perspective.
• Partner with Human Resources and other business partners to provide input to Scope of Works and other documents related to Requests for Quotes, Requests for Proposals, Change Orders, and Task Orders.
• Collaborate with the Legal Department to negotiate vendor's edits to the Client Terms & Conditions and Cybersecurity Terms & Conditions.
• Partner with Client Digital Technology to help facilitate review and approval of prospective vendors.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Business Administration or related field, or a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• Knowledge of source-to-settle or procure-to-pay processes, sourcing management processes, types of procurement contracts, commodity pricing, quality standards, sources of supply (including diversity suppliers), statements of work, negotiation techniques, value analysis, and other cost-saving methods.
• Knowledge of the types of information important for understanding a category, including rate trends, multipliers, market trends, quality standards, and supplier sources.
• Experience in HR strategic sourcing or materials planning and management or related fields.
• Effectively work under a matrix management structure.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in writing and verbally with all levels of the company and suppliers.
• Ability to work independently.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in business acumen, financial and analytical skills, written and verbal communication, presentation skills, and implementation and execution.
• Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to prepare, negotiate, and review RFxs, contracts, bids, proposals, and vendor agreements for legal terms/conditions and acceptability of items to specifications.
• Proficiency in project management or sourcing management.
• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft suite of tools, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Copilot, and PowerPoint, and the ability to quickly learn ERP systems such as SAP/Ariba.
• Self-starter with good analytical skills and common sense for problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new tasks to maintain effectiveness in the position.
• Detail-oriented and disciplined to ensure project completion and effective follow-through.

Preferred Experience, Education, or Qualifications

• Focused experience in the HR Benefits Health & Welfare space, as well as Finance market expertise and supplier management skills.
• BS in Business Administration or related field plus 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in ERP systems and Procure-to-Pay processes, particularly SAP/Ariba.
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or a degree directly applicable to the category.

Work Environment

Physical Demands:

• Currently a hybrid work environment. Required to come into the Philadelphia office at least once a week. This requirement could be subject to change.
• Constantly or frequently uses a computer keyboard, monitor, and mouse to perform a variety of tasks.
• Constantly or frequently sits, stands, walks, and may lift, carry, push, or pull objects of various weights; may reach, kneel, crouch, bend, or twist to perform administrative tasks (e.g., filing, retrieving materials from desks and bookcases, moving around an office setting).

Mental Demands:

• Constantly communicates, comprehends, and responds to verbal statements and instructions, both orally and in writing.
• Frequently acquires new knowledge, skills, and tasks, both complex and simple, to maintain effectiveness in the position.
• Frequently resolves problems with conflicting priorities in cognitively demanding situations.
• Frequently reads and analyzes hard copy and/or computer screen material and writes reports as appropriate.
• Conducts in-person and/or telephone dialogues as appropriate to manage and conduct the flow of work.

Working Conditions:

• Constantly works in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Frequently handles multiple projects simultaneously.
• Works daily in SAP/Ariba.

Philadelphia, PA, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, diverse culture, and thriving business community. As a major economic hub, Philadelphia offers a dynamic work environment and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.