Sourcing Specialist - Procurement

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

About the Role:

Under general supervision within a framework of established policies and procedures, Sourcing Specialists learn to and perform routine to moderately difficult professional procurement tasks focused on indirect purchasing with IT and services. As experience and proficiency are gained, assignments become more varied and complex, and the level of independent action increases within established guidelines.  Assignments are given in specific terms and are subject to frequent review while in progress and upon completion by a Manager or Senior Manager, except where tasks are well defined by established standards, policies, and procedures. There is some latitude for independent judgment.

Location: This position requires you to be located within 50 miles of Salt Lake City, UT with the ability to work 4 days a week in-office at our headquarters: 4001 South 700 East Salt Lake City, UT 84107 and one day from home.

What You’ll Do:

• Participates in the review of specifications and statements of work for but not limited to curriculum, EdTech, and services.
• Coordinates with other departments including finance and legal for the negotiation and implementation of the contracts.
• Critical thinking skills when developing solicitations including Request for Quotations (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Processes contract, bid or purchase order requests. Monitors current market to ensure competitive pricing.
• Maintains purchasing instructions, policies and procedures; communicates and educates WGU employees to ensure compliance.
• Evaluates new supplier capabilities, assesses risk, and quality as necessary.
• Invites and receives bids.
• Evaluates prices, products, discounts, and delivery conditions.
• Makes award selections, confers, and corresponds with suppliers, manufacturers, service suppliers and sales representatives to obtain pricing and product information, services provided, market information and trends.
• Resolves problems with P.O., billing, and payment.
• Maintains records of contracts negotiated, ordered, and received.
• Assists in the negotiating of contracts, terms/pricing; ensures best prices and services are obtained in assigned areas of responsibilities.
• Assists forecasting and trend analysis to effectively predict business needs.
• Reviews purchase orders and contracts for conformance to company policies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities You’ll Need to be Successful:

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of purchasing including purchasing ethics and standards.
• Basic understanding of the use of P.O.'s versus contracts.
• Basic understanding of the competitive bidding process.
• Basic Understanding of key P.O./contract terms and conditions.
• Basic knowledge of cost/pricing analysis.
• Able to learn new technologies and adapt to moving priorities.
• Strong negotiation and organizational skills required.  Basic understanding of how to negotiate business terms with suppliers (i.e., price, delivery, quality, payment).
• Excellent decision-making skills a necessity.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office products required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent job experience (1 year experience = 1 year education)
• 2+ years' experience in procurement or purchasing technology and services.

Why Join WGU?

• You will be part of a growing, diverse, inclusive workforce, committed to creating pathways to a better life for our students by expanding access to education for everyone.
• We provide comprehensive dental, vision, and medical benefits, with paid time off, parental leave, and inclusive family forming benefits.
• We offer generous retirement and HSA company contributions.
• You will also have opportunity for continuous learning! Employees and their famili