Sourcing Specialist

Purpose of the Job:

Provide sourcing solutions to the business, including innovative items, new displays, and vendors partnerships.

Essential Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to provide sourcing solutions for innovation and other customer requests
• Lead the operational information collection of new items and vendors, and coordinate activities with others involved in these processes
• Follow a structured negotiation process and maintain records
• Perform data analysis to support sourcing decisions, including supplier selections
• Design display concepts that reflect aesthetic and functional requests of our customers
• Review and approve product artwork per the Labeling Control policy and procedure
• Assist Purchasing and/or Distribution Center teams with new supplier performance issues – product quality, mis- shipments, receiving, and other issues
• Support cost savings and vendor funding initiatives, including product design inputs, process improvements, and vendor negotiations
• Support and lead continuous improvement efforts through the supply chain
• Provide data analysis and feedback on supplier evaluation scorecards
• Support new supplier development, working with Finance and Regulatory & Quality teams
• Support and maintain the sourcing policies and procedures
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Education:

• Four-year degree in supply chain management or operation management preferred

Experience:

• Four years in purchasing, operations or project management preferred (10 years' in lieu of degree)
• Intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Excel in daily work

Key Competencies:

• Ethics, Integrity and Values: Has values aligned with the company and acts accordingly. Ably builds trust.
• Interpersonal Communication: Relates well to people, verbally and in written form. Builds rapport with all levels within and outside company.
• Problem Solving Skills: Sees and is able to define problems. Investigates, assesses, and correctly identifies root causes. Proactively implements fixes and changes as needed.
• Customer Focused: Gives customer’s needs priority and responds quickly to customer concerns.
• Team Orientation: Within team, fulfills own role and can be counted on. Steps up to assist others or support team as needed.
• Results Focused/Output Orientation: Handles high-volume workload; makes adjustments to achieve required results. Is action and results oriented.
• Planning and Organizing Skills: Plans and executes plans for events, tasks, or processes in an efficient manner. Able to manage multiple priorities.
• Project and Task Management: Demonstrates the ability to work within timelines, company structures and budgets for successful completion of assigned tasks or projects.
• Detail Orientation/Quality Focus: Successfully manages many small tasks or processes with many details.
• Change Management/Continuous Improvement: Ably envisions and recommends improvements. Guides team toward implementation of change initiatives.
• Analytical Skills: Interprets and digests complex information. Devises or suggests pertinent improvements or corrections to processes, procedures or plans based on strong analytical findings.

Physical and Working Environment:

• Working Hours: General office hours, typically 8:00 AM –5:00 PM with flexibility for business and personal needs.
• Tools and Equipment: Computer, tablet, e-mail, phone, and other standard office equipment.
• Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs. on occasion; digital dexterity and hand/eye to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment. Ability to effectively communicate with customers, suppliers, or employees remotely and in person. Ability to travel by airplane or automobile.
• No regular travel requirements
• Working Environment: Work usually performed in an office setting and distribution center with noise level typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

• Microsoft Excel: 2 years (Preferred)
• Purchasing or Operations: 4 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (Required)

Work Location: In person