Company:
Nestle

Sourcing Specialist - Paper and Fiber

Job Number: nest-00016150


Description:

• Responsible for supporting strategic sourcing for packaging materials within assigned categories at our St. Louis, MO office.
• Develop and execute standardized strategic sourcing processes for assigned categories using the Seven Steps to Strategic Sourcing.
• Locate and evaluate sources, benchmark costs, assimilate and analyze data, adhere to project timelines.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal business partners and key suppliers.
• Supports other functional strategic sourcing through research, analysis, and communication.
• Works very closely with Strategic & Operational Buyers.


Responsibilities:

• As our Sourcing Specialist, you'll support our buyers and their purchasing activities throughout the lifecycle of the sourcing process.
• You'll assist with development and implementation of the sourcing strategy to the project reporting to the coordination of vendor agreements within the packaging materials category.


Specifically, you'll:

• Collect and analyze category data and develop the internal and external category profile.
• Work with customers (OpCo's) to gather and assess requirements.
• Manage price lists for accuracy regarding price changes and distribute price lists to key stakeholders.
• Identify transition activities, timeline, ownership, etc.
• Oversee implementation activities, assess and mitigate potential implementation risks.
• Reconcile potential strategic sourcing outcomes and action plans with business partners prior to executing the sourcing initiative so as to eliminate executional barriers.
• Update and maintain all Purchase Price Variance and scorecard monthly reports.
• Manage Benefits Tracking (BT) dashboard to ensure savings projects submitted and approved by stakeholders.
• Team member for ABPI corrugated/solid board with responsibility to update and manage dashboard.
• Work with Operational Buyers and internal customers to ensure satisfaction.
• Define and execute the implementation plan for assigned categories.
• Work closely and communicate frequently with business unit stakeholders' within a variety of departments to adequately understand and meet business needs, including Manufacturing, Finance, Quality Assurance, Product Development, Supply Chain.
• Develop and execute initiatives and strategies that deliver strategic savings and meet or exceed business objectives.


Partner with Vendors:

• Manage vendor relationships, track performance and communicate vendor performance feedback.
• Develop fact-based negotiation strategies and assist in conducting negotiations with vendors.
• Develop Request for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Quotes (RFQ) on Ariba-based web platform, assess results, document recommendations, and communicate results to vendors.
• Develop Requests for Information (RFI) with potential vendors on Ariba-based web platform.
• Create and maintain vendor agreements.
• Monitor compliance with vendor agreements.


Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Purchasing, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field or combination of experience and education.
• Three or more years of packaging purchasing and/or technical packaging experience from within a Procurement or Strategic Sourcing Team environment (consumer packaged goods/food/beverage company preferred).


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to analyze and present findings in a clear and cohesive manner, both in writing and verbally.
• A demonstrated 'team player' with skills in collaboration, detail orientation, and successful proactive initiatives.
• Ability to multitask in support of multiple sourcing initiatives.
• Proven ability to adapt to change.
• Ability to work across boundaries and borders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a background in contract negotiation and the ability to work with Legal and IT business owners to structure optimal contract language.
• Demonstrated success in developing and leading contract negotiations among many stakeholders.
• Ability to work with Divisional stakeholders to identify requirements, draft and lead complex statement of work negotiations.
• Ability to develop/manage relationships with key suppliers and function as liaison between the Division, internal Strategic Sourcing Teams and suppliers to drive continuous improvements in quality.
• Proven skills in financial, market, and vendor analysis.
• Ability to develop and sustain stable and responsive relationships with internal customers and stakeholders to understand and represent their requirements of Procurement and to facilitate the delivery of business solutions to meet those needs.
• Ability to apply quantitative skills and an understanding of pricing models and analyze/interpret pricing forecasts. (Possessing necessary data management skills and an understanding of Total Cost of Ownership concepts.)
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time for overnight travel.


Critical Competencies & Functional Knowledge:

• Service Orientation.
• Results Focused.
• Purchasing System (SAP).
• Packaging Purchasing Industry Knowledge.
• Negotiation Skills.
• Financial Analysis.