Sr. Procurement Specialist

Overview

The Sr. Procurement Specialist is responsible for overseeing Zahner’s commodity and raw material purchasing process, ensuring that all necessary goods and services are acquired at the best possible value while maintaining quality standards. This role plays a strategic role in cost control, risk mitigation, and vendor/supplier management. As part of the Supply Chain team, the role is also responsible for understanding, supporting, and backing up logistics and strategic sourcing functions.

• Procurement Strategy Development:
  Create and implement cost-effective plans for purchasing goods and services that align with business goals.
• Commodities:
  Act as subject matter expert on commodity trends and Supply Chain lead-times. Make well-thought-through suggestions to internal stakeholders.
• Internal
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Collaborate with Sales, Pre-Construction, and Operations to keep them informed, understand their needs, and ensure procurement processes support overall business objectives.
• Supplier Selection & Quotations:
  Support the process of sourcing and selecting new material suppliers by conducting appropriate selection/quotation processes.
• Supplier Management:
  Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, evaluate their performance, and ensure strong lines of communication.
• Negotiation & Contracts:
  Support the process to secure favorable terms, prices, and agreements with suppliers by participating in the negotiation of contracts and finalizing purchase details.
• Risk Management:
  
  Analyze data to anticipate potential problems like shortages, develop risk management procedures, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Performance Monitoring:
  Track key metrics, document procurement activities, and prepare reports for management on spending and performance.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Continuously investigate opportunities for cost savings through potential new sources for necessary services or implementation of new processes.
• Supply Chain Team Support:
  Understand, support, and back up other supply chain functions, including Logistics and Strategic Sourcing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, construction management, finance, business administration, or related concentration.
• 5 years of relevant experience across various Supply Chain disciplines.
• At least 3 years of buying/purchasing/procurement experience specifically
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with a teamwork mentality and growth mindset.
• Strong capabilities in negotiation, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
• Full familiarity with MS Office tools, with strengths in the development and use of Microsoft Excel.

• Preferred Qualifications:
• 7 years of relevant experience across various Supply Chain disciplines.
• 3 years of manufacturing or construction industry purchasing or other supply chain experience.
• Advanced knowledge of database management or Microsoft Excel.

• The physical demands represent requirements to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions may be available.
• Work is performed in an office environment with common office tools. Required to receive and make telephone calls, send and receive email, text, and instant messages, maintain documents/records, and communicate with coworkers and business partners.
• The majority of time is spent performing essential functions around a desk/table arrangement while occasionally moving to other locations for meetings, discussions, or observation.
• Must enter and interpret computer data, read, and file documents with small letters/numbers/symbols on documents and electronic devices.
• Moves devices/tools, pushes, and pulls, weighing less than 25 pounds. This includes lifting or raising small objects from the ground to a tabletop, occasionally lifting overhead.
• Travel by airplane and/or personal vehicle to and from other office locations is less than 5%.