Sr. Procurement Specialist

Job Description

NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services and business support services to over 900 consumer owned electric cooperatives across the country. NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency and a spirit of innovation.

NRECA’s Finance department manages the accounting, financial planning/budgeting, and procurement operations across a broad range of entities and businesses that support NRECA and its affiliated organizations, trusts, and other entities. Within the Finance department, the purpose of the Strategic Sourcing & Procurement (SS&P) team is to work collaboratively with all NRECA employees to fulfill their procurement needs. We consider every employee our stakeholder and are committed to providing efficient and timely strategic sourcing, contracting, and procurement services. As reliable business partners, we create value through proficient negotiations, risk mitigation, supplier performance management, and advocacy for the National Discounts Program. We are seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist experienced in indirect spend, who will aid in developing and implementing strategic sourcing and category management plans to reach business objectives and financial targets. Success in this role involves effectively overseeing indirect spend categories, including but not limited to Travel, Meetings & Events, Professional Services, and Labor; consistently achieving cost savings, utilizing effective risk management strategies, and fostering strong supplier relationships, all while complying with organizational objectives and policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads cross-functional stakeholders and project team members through complex, multi-million-dollar strategic sourcing initiatives from project initiation through implementation.
• Employs cost-saving and demand management strategies to deliver on financial metrics.
• Manages and tracks supplier performance to ensure key contract deliverables and performance standards are met.
• Authors and issues complex solicitations, including RFI, RFP, and RFQ documents, to procure indirect products and services in compliance with department procedures and policies.
• Plans and executes communications strategies to ensure accurate and timely flow of information to internal stakeholders and to suppliers.
• Analyzes historical spend, business requirements, and market data to develop and execute sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Negotiates pricing, drafts, and interprets contract terms and conditions to establish favorable purchase agreements, including, but not limited to Master Services Agreements, Statement of Works, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Technology Purchase Agreements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, supply chain, or equivalent combination of education, training, and additional experience.
• Five to seven years of demonstrated knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier performance management methodologies to procure indirect products and services in the commercial sector.
• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and work in a dynamic, fast-paced, purpose-driven environment.
• Experience in contract administration, vendor negotiation, risk assessment, and procurement best practices.
• Experience in indirect spend categories such as IT, Meetings & Events, Contingency Labor, Professional Services, Travel, and Human Resources desired.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Excellent communication skills, orally and in writing, across a diverse range of audiences.
• Excellent judgment and strategic planning skills
• Position is eligible for hybrid schedule, although must have the ability to report to the office upon requested and when required. (Note: The first 30 days will require working from office 5 days per week)

Preferred Qualifications

• Institute of Supply Management certification preferred.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Essential Physical Requirements:
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job