Sourcing Specialist

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Position Summary

This is the second level of the Sourcing classification hierarchy. This position executes the sourcing process for assigned business areas and implements policies and procedures directed towards providing contracted services/materials.

Employees will manage request for proposals and bidding processes while establishing and nurturing relationships with key suppliers to ensure competitive pricing. Achieve the best contractual conditions while also ensuring internal business unit partnerships. Employees at this level solve more complex problems with some supervision. Incumbents are expected to develop advanced skills and the ability to work with greater independence. Conducts business dealings with the highest level of integrity and regard for corporate guidelines, legal, and environmental regulations.

This position is focused on strategic sourcing of an approximate $80M annual spend portfolio supporting the Outdoor Lighting business unit. Category Management includes sourcing of Outdoor lighting poles and fixtures that support Duke Energy Lighting business growth. Seeking a strategic mindset to challenge the status quo and identify category opportunities to leverage scale in support of growth plans for the company.

Responsibilities

• Category Management. Enhance category management through strategic analysis of assigned categories. Identify and anticipate Business Unit demand and needs, issues, and cost reduction opportunities. Have an understanding of SWOT analysis for each assigned category, spend identification, and total cost of ownership. Identify and assess short- and long-term risks. Ensure alignment with internal SME parties to ensure risk is controlled through collaboration with the Legal, Security, Tax, and Credit departments when necessary. Maintain knowledge of commodities, sources of supply, corporate responsibility opportunities, industry leading practices, and market conditions that may impact future procurement. Utilize procurement tool and grid/relays for documentation/retention of category plans.

• Strategy Development. Develops enterprise and regional (short and long term) sourcing strategies with key business partners and cross functional teams for equipment, materials, and/or services, to enhance value to Duke Energy, while managing overall risk. Seeks assistance to fully execute strategy.

• Strategy Execution. Utilize or improve approved strategies and supply chain processes to lead competitive bidding processes, lead the objective criteria based bid evaluation with a cross-functional group, recommend award to Supply Chain and Business Unit Leadership, develop appropriate terms and conditions, negotiate strategic contracts, integrate contracts with internal systems, and manage ongoing supplier/contract management and day-to-day support when issues arise (such as mismatches billing or shipment issues).

• Negotiation. Utilizes data-driven decision making to implement effective strategic sourcing strategies, thus enabling better terms with suppliers and identification of cost-saving opportunities. Performs analysis of historical spending patterns, pricing fluctuations, and market trends and indices. Calculates impacts to net working capital and uses outcomes to impact deal structure. Achieves substantial cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives through direct negotiations, and consolidation of requests or contracts. Negotiate contracts to include pricing, Terms and Conditions, lead times, etc. to optimize total value of ownership. Develop value chain and analyze opportunities for increased value.

• Risk and Financial Analysis. Effectively communicates with the Business Unit on risks related to the transaction and provides potential opportunities for risk mitigation. Performs cursory review of financial statements (income statement and balance sheet) to determine the financial viability of prospective suppliers.

• Legal Terms and Conditions. Applies knowledge of basic legal issues, commercial business, and sourcing process to lead the delivery of favorable contractual outcomes. Engages legal as necessary for advanced issues.

• Change Management. Co-developer with business unit partners to develop change management strategies in partnership with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation of sourcing strategies.

• Relationship Management. Start to build a base for growing and managing relationships with business unit partners, supply chain partners, and strategic suppliers, at various levels of the organizations. Ensures that purchase order and contracts are in compliance with all SC department and corporate policies/procedures. Manages post award supplier activities, settlements, claims or disputes. Performs purchase order and agreement maintenance including invoice mismatches, prices changes, amendments, change orders, etc. Collaborates with business unit partners to ensure contract terms are being met and supplier performance is appropriately monitored and measured.

• Leadership. Mentors and assist in the development of sourcing personnel, processes, and procedures, as well as actively focuses on own development by observing and learning from colleagues with more experience.

Required/Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree AND two (2) years minimum related work experience

• In lieu of Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of related work experience; High School Degree/GED AND six (6) years of related work experience

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Previous sourcing experience

• Previous experience supporting Transmission and Distribution Construction activities

• C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification, or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)

• Demonstrated negotiation, problem solving, analytical and leadership skills.

• Experience with RFP/RFI systems and processes.

• A natural time manager with the ability to manage a robust workload and pay attention to detail.

• Outstanding planning/organization skills

• Problem-solving/analytical I skills

• Oral and written communication skills

• Negotiating skills

• Contract management skills

• Project management skills

• Statistical and analytical skills

• Demonstrated interpersonal and team building skills.

Specific Requirements

• Bachelor's degree + 2 years of work experience OR

• Associate's degree + 4 years of work experience OR

• HS/GED + 6 years of work experience

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Mobility Classification Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable daily commute to the Duke Energy facility.

• The position is considered Hybrid with 3 days per week in the office.

• Office with some travel for plant and vendor visits, conferences, visits to other Duke Energy facilities and territories, as required