Senior Sourcing Specialist OR Lead Sourcing Specialist

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Position Summary

This is the third level of the Sourcing classification hierarchy. This position develops and implements strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories of spend. This role will develop and execute innovative ideas to enhance sourcing strategies and drive transformational or strategic company initiatives. The Senior Sourcing Specialist will lead the assessment of the opportunity, internal supply chain, and supply market, culminating in the development, execution, and institutionalization of the sourcing strategy. This position will have a proven track record in sourcing and negotiating complex, high-value categories of spend. A successful candidate will be able to pilot strategic initiatives, leading the business unit partner to a balance between operations and economic thinking to drive optimal decisions, and then communicate insights.

This role will serve as an internal consultant for procurement and strategic sourcing needs, with the expectation of leading teams and larger project efforts to drive cost savings. Keys to success include the ability to prioritize, navigate nebulous situations, build consensus across silos, and deliver actionable results with minimal oversight. It is imperative that this individual has an enterprise mindset, skill, and capabilities to challenge the status quo, foster idea development, and implement new, transformative ideas. Success requires excelling at thought leadership, challenging assumptions and operating procedures, gaining buy-in on the approach, and developing robust processes and governance. To do all of this, the individual will need to be able to operate with little direction, work as "one team," withstand initial pushback, move beyond traditional organizational boundaries, and communicate at all levels to deliver results.

A strong understanding of business operations, legal concepts, and risk evaluation will enable this individual to lead the total cost of ownership approach, assessing the total economic cost to Duke Energy of procuring through different tactics and channel strategies (buy vs. lease; managing transportation vs. delivered on site; new operational approaches, etc.). Employees at this level manage work with minimal supervision. Incumbents are expected to develop proficient skills and have the ability to work independently, with guidance limited to unusual or complex projects or issues. They are fully competent in the use of concepts and procedures. They identify problems, develop solutions, and take actions to resolve.

Responsibilities

• Category Management: Develop and enhance category management through strategic analysis of assigned categories. Identify and anticipate Business Unit demand and needs, issues, and cost reduction opportunities. Create and understand 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; Alongside key Business Units partners and cross functional teams, develops sourcing strategies for complex, high-value materials, equipment or services including the execution of regional and/or enterprise-wide initiatives
• Strategy Execution: Creates strategies and utilizes 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. Develops "should cost models" that will calculate an estimated price by researching all material costs, labor costs, overhead costs, and profit margins that would apply to sourced products and services. 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. Negotiates with middle, but primarily, upper-level management of suppliers and manufacturers. Demonstrates proficient understanding of Duke Energy contractual terms and conditions. Drives cost avoidance and cost savings through supplier negotiations and/or the identification and implementation of process efficiencies. Negotiates pricing, discounts, value, or other competitive differentiators
• Risk and Financial Analysis: Effectively communicates with the Business Unit and other executive leadership and committees (e.g., TRC) on risks related to the transaction and provides potential opportunities for risk mitigation. Reviews financial statements (income statement and balance sheet) to determine the financial viability of prospective suppliers. Identifies risks in contractual terms and conditions and deal structures and communicates to business unit partners appropriately.
• Legal Terms and Conditions: Applies knowledge, redlines, and negotiates complex legal issues, commercial business, and sourcing expertise to lead the delivery of favorable contractual outcomes. Engages legal as necessary for advanced issues.
• Change Management: Alongside business unit partners, develops change management strategies in partnership with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation of sourcing strategies
• Relationship Management: Manages supplier relationships at a strategic level. Maintains effective interfaces with internal business partners, external customers, and suppliers. 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. Resolves escalated issues between BU and Supplier, as necessary.
• Leadership: Provides assistance and cross training of sourcing personnel on procurement tasks.

Note: This posting is for one position. Dependent on relevant experience, the level to which a candidate is aligned is outlined below.

Required/Basic Qualifications (Senior Sourcing Specialist)

• Bachelor's degree
• 5 years related work experience
• In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 5 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 9 year(s) related work experience

Required/Basic Qualifications (Lead Sourcing Specialist)

• Bachelor's degree
• 7 years related work experience
• In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 7 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 11 year(s) related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate Degree
• C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification, or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)
• Demonstrated business and financial expertise.
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Contract management skills
• Strong planning/organizational skills
• Strong problem solving/analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Cost and financial analysis skills
• Good business acumen
• Strong working knowledge of electric utility plant operations
• Previous sourcing & contracting experience.
• Good project management experience
• Demonstrated interpersonal, leadership and team building skills.
• Experience with e-sourcing tools (PowerAdvocate) and ERP systems (CAS, Maximo)

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 a Duke Energy facility.
• Office setting
• Some travel for plant and vendor visits, conferences, visits to other Duke Energy facilities and territories

Specific Requirements (Senior Sourcing Specialist)

• Bachelor's degree + 5 years work experience OR
• Associate's degree + 7 years work experience OR
• HS/GED + 9 years work experience

Specific Requirements (Lead Sourcing Specialist)

• Bachelor's degree + 7 years work experience OR
• Associate's degree + 9 years work experience OR
• HS/GED + 11 years work experience