Senior Sourcing Specialist

AAA is hiring for a Senior Sourcing Specialist to join our team!

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for strategically procuring a broad range of materials, equipment and services in support of the AAA Club Alliance, ensuring corporate procedures are followed. The Senior Specialist interfaces with various members of ACA’s Management and Business Line end users to strategically plan, evaluate, coordinate and purchase the goods and services required. The main task of the Senior Specialist is to obtain the highest quality products and services from reputable vendors, at the best possible price and in a timely fashion and to also help set standards to minimize costs. The Senior Specialist will develop sourcing strategies that lead to the development of spend categories such as corporate and professional services, facilities, marketing, logistics and more. Maintaining internal and external relationships will be critical to the success of the Senior Specialist.

What We Can Offer You:

• A competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Annual Bonus + Annual Merit Increase Eligiblity
• Comprehensive benefit package including, but not limited to: 3+ weeks of Paid Time Off during the first year, 401k plan with employer match up to 7%, Health & Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, and a complimentary AAA Premier Membership.   

The primary duties are:

• Knowledge of software purchasing and software RFP's a plus.

• Establish and maintain vendor relationships.  Conduct vendor evaluations and identify preferred vendors with input from other AAA organizations Business Line or end users from other corporate functions.  
• Input purchase to pay data into AAA’s procurement ERP considering timeliness and accuracy.

• Interview vendors to obtain product or service information such as contract terms, price, and availability and delivery schedule. Qualify, select and/or approve competitive suppliers and negotiate purchasing contracts with favorable terms and discounts.

• Prepare requests for competitive bids, quotations, and proposals with pertinent specifications, terms, and conditions. This includes planning and executing sourcing events such as vendor presentations, e-business events, etc.  

• Secure and analyze price quotations.  Review quotations with ordering business unit as needed and awards bids for materials, equipment or services by issuing purchase orders.   

• Resolve issues regarding purchase orders, invoices, quality claims, credits and returns by contacting supplier and working with internal client.  Expedite the procurement of items in short or critical supply.

• Mitigate risks of supply shortages such as eliminating single source buys as well as mitigates risk via terms and conditions negotiations as part of the contracting process. 

• Monitor outstanding orders to ensure fast service is maintained for user departments; work with vendors to resolve issues impeding quality service or established delivery time and writes reports to track outstanding issues, communicating with the ordering business unit as needed.

• Ensure that internal customers are kept apprised of the status of material, equipment or service orders.

• Maintain purchasing databases and produce management reports on purchasing activities such as cost and usage trends, forecasting future costs, etc.

• Remain current on market trends and conditions that may affect availability and/or cost of materials, equipment or services used, in order to make sound recommendations to the Manager concerning viable alternatives.

• Complete special projects and assignments and assist throughout the department as needed to ensure a smooth-flowing operation.

• Cross train in other areas of the department in order to provide backup for other Senior Buyers and Buyers. Develop written procedures, and keeps current with routine job responsibilities.

• Acknowledge and abide by all Information Security Policies.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or equivalent (4 years) technical training.

• 6 years of purchasing or sales experience involving direct public contact; 4 years working knowledge and experience in a corporate environment utilizing corporate systems.

• CPSM designation is a plus.

• Continuous process improvement experience/certification is a plus.

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of technical terms regarding most standard categories of spend including but not limited to corporate & professional services.

• In-depth experience with vendor contracts, purchases, purchasing systems and support.

• Skilled in prioritizing and adapting to new projects through-out the day with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work in a fast paced environment while maintaining focus.

• Negotiation & SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) skills.

• Experience in managing inventory is a plus.

• Ability to create correspondence, memos and reports, using procurement and other software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. with a high degree of proficiency.

• Effective written and oral communication skills to enable prompt and accurate completion of assignments and constructive interaction with associates and vendors.

• Ability to interact with all levels of associates.

• Working knowledge of the area of expertise with ability to cross train others.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships.

ACA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment practices laws. At ACA, we are committed to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive workplace of team members with diverse backgrounds and experiences to enable us to meet our goals and support our values while serving our Members and customers.  We strive to attract and retain candidates with a passion for their work and we encourage all qualified individuals to apply.  It is ACA’s policy to employ the best qualified individuals available for all positions. Hiring decisions are based upon ACA’s operating needs, and applicant qualifications including, but not limited to, experience, skills, ability, availability, cooperation, and job performance.

Job Category: 

Purchasing - Procurement