Job: Sourcing Associate

Job Purpose / Summary

The Sourcing Associate will execute simple to complex sourcing projects, from start to finish, including but not limited to – sourcing requests validation per client guidelines, requirements analysis for the bid packages, communicating with client requesters to close any data gaps, prepare and publish the package to the identified suppliers for bidding purposes, following up with suppliers to ensure adequate participation, and summarizing proposals back to the requestor.
Key Responsibilities / Job Duties*

* Sourcing Associate Key Responsibilities / Job Duties assume the inclusion of the descriptors from the Sourcing Analyst position description.

• Provides sourcing services (RFP, RFI, FRQ)  to our clients based on predefined service levels, managing 5-12 simple to complex projects simultaneously
• Lead and execute the DSS sourcing process from start to finish, e.g., RFx development, reverse auctions, data analysis
• A strong understanding of the reverse auction methodology and concepts that apply to various sourcing scenarios:  Lotting, Pricing, Supplier Communications, stakeholder change management.
• Develop mastery in multiple core phases of the DSS sourcing methodology and provide mentoring and training to the rest of the team members
• Collaborate with Client Category Managers and/or Denali SMEs on project strategy and tailor sourcing execution based on direction provided by them
• Evaluate project scope and determine sourcing approach and methodology to be applied; develop and/or customize various templates including RFx, pricing, and proposal evaluation
• Perform in depth analysis of proposals submitted, draw conclusions, prepare comprehensive summaries, and present back to the client in a concise manner
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation
• Identify areas of process inefficiencies and suggest improvements to management, including development of templates and job aids to improve efficiency and effectiveness of DSS processes
• Coaching, transferring knowledge, and developing team members to be more effective in their current roles
• Conduct peer reviews for other team member’s projects and check for quality, consistency and compliance with DSS methodology and client specific requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities*

* Sourcing Associate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities assume the inclusion of the descriptors from the Sourcing Analyst position description.

• Strong eSourcing skills, including DSS sourcing methodology, eSourcing technology, RFX development and management
• Strong customer service orientation including demonstrated issue resolution and relationship management skills
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with data in Excel using pivot tables and various other key Excel functions to analyze, organize and present data
• Mastery of client specific processes, terminology, political environment, systems and unique requirements by various business groups
• Excellent project management skills including project planning, time management, multitasking, critical path definition
• Ability to follow a process based on documented guidelines with minimal supervision
• Ability to summarize a large amount of quantitative and qualitative information in support of developing RFx packages
• Solid decision making ability using available facts in sensitive client situations
• Proficiency of one or more eSourcing tools (e.g., Ariba, Procuri, Iasta, Zycus, ERP eSourcing module) at an “advanced” level (as defined by DSS, Software company, or client standards)
• Mastery of various DSS project documentation and tracking systems
• Basic negotiation skills

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience is preferred
• 3-5 years of work experience in operational, procurement, sourcing or service desk management
• Deep understanding of at least one sourcing category and a good understanding of an additional 2-5 categories (e.g. pricing structures, terminology, bidding sheet development expertise, cost structure, key vendors, etc.)