Strategic Sourcing Specialist

at  Austal USA

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Material Management, or related field and 2 years’ purchasing/sourcing experience required OR candidates without a degree may be considered with at least 6 years’ of purchasing/sourcing experience.
• Preferred work experience includes performing: Material and service sourcing activities (quoting, analyzing, negotiating, reporting and purchase order placement); supplier rationalization activities (adding/removing suppliers and familiarity with Approved Supplier Lists, Bid Lists, and small business requirements);
• Experience working in materials management, material planning, and/or production planning positions is desired.
• Strong application of excel skills including pivot tables, v-lookups, etc. to manipulate RFQ’s, quotations, presentations, etc.
• Experience leading projects.
• The ability to utilize structured thought processes, anticipate consequences, rationalize information and articulate understanding of purchasing strategy and vision.
• The ability to manage high risk purchasing activity with confidence.
• Microsoft Office at the intermediate skill level: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet
• Explorer, Outlook; Access a plus.
• ERP/MRP: IFS preferred; others like BAAN, SAP, JD Edwards and Oracle are acceptable.
• General understanding of how to read blueprints/drawings, interpret specifications and review statements of work.
• General understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code, U.S. Government FAR, DFARS and ITAR requirements.
• General understanding of enterprise quality system functionality (e.g., ISO 9000, AS9100, TS16949, etc.).
• General understanding of ERP systems and MRP logic.
• Significant understanding of the material, services and manufacturing

• Market Research; Supplier Sourcing; Perform sourcing events; Issue drawings/specifications/SOW
• Working Individually or as part of a team, assisting with the negotiation of short and long term agreements for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, MRO materials, equipment, tooling, supplies and/or services from suppliers.
• Skillfully balancing the price, quality, service and value tradeoffs and rationalizing the supply base.
• Providing input to, and report outs on, commodity strategies and related projects.
• Assisting with Supplier metrics and advising suppliers of their performance
• Reviewing statements of work material specifications, service contracts, terms and conditions when required.
• Develop a procurement strategy by leveraging the supplier markets and delivering added value throughout the organization
• Knowing when to escalate issues, or ask for help from, the next level of management in the Supply Chain function.
• Documenting all phases of price negotiations and Pricing agreements to ensure compliance with Contractor Purchasing System Review guidelines and support the Tactical Procurement Team.
• Ensure increased efficiency in the procurement process and identify opportunities for improvements.
• Promote continuous improvement in the procurement organization.
• Able to track total spend in category and setting, measuring appropriate savings targets
• Assisting in the gathering of information to evaluate the financial stability, technical capability, process control, capacity and continuous improvement techniques of Suppliers when required.
• Following all Supply Chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials and particularly the ability to keep confidential information regarding all purchasing or commodity strategies confidential (and in some cases, within the supply chain function exclusively).
• Maintaining close communication with Supplier account and customer service personnel, and management levels if necessary, so as to minimize risk due to supplier capacity issues, plant shutdowns, and other day to day disruptions that may affect Austal and/or open purchase orders.
• Providing assistance to related departments when applicable Conduct Supplier site audits and investigations when required.
• Travel as required to complete supplier site assessments, discrepancies, delivery, tooling, quality issues and assessments.
• Ability to make professional presentations as it pertains to the strategic sourcing projects, cost improvements, supplier alliances, value engineering design opportunities, alternate sources of supply, etc.
• Working under pressure and in some cases, tight deadlines.
• Working under minimal supervision
• Participating in price book activities.
• Other duties as assigned by Managers.