Category Specialist

Summary

Spire is seeking a Category Specialist to work in the Saint Louis, MO operation, but is flexible to well qualified candidates in any company location. This position will be responsible for assisting and participating in sourcing events by executing category strategies for goods and services that meet business requirements, helping to achieve lifecycle cost savings while maintaining a high degree of quality.

We are committed to understanding the needs of the homes and businesses we serve. That's why we're always looking for driven, collaborative people to join our team. Because we believe that offering our customers the best service means bringing together the best people.

And we find the best by hiring those who share our values of safety, inclusion and integrity, and demonstrate the competencies that bring the Spire vision, mission and culture to life:

• Adaptability:
  We embrace change, continuously seeking opportunities for improvement while remaining open-minded and flexible in response to evolving conditions and customer, stakeholder and company needs.
• Collaboration:
  
  We achieve more together through a foundation of respect, embracing healthy conflict, actively seeking and providing actionable feedback and fostering an environment where everyone’s input is welcomed.
• Ownership:
  We see things through, demonstrate accountability, honor commitments, take responsibility for outcomes and demonstrate initiative.

By living our values and competencies, we strive to create an environment where employees feel welcome, respected and valued.

• Assist in preparing for and participate in sourcing events for the business according to the annual sourcing plan and on an ad‑hoc basis as required
• Participate in cross‑functional category teams
• Partner with the business to obtain sourcing event input including specifications, supplier evaluation, negotiations, contract execution and supplier selection
• Utilize the Supply Chain formal sourcing process, document category analyses and strategies in the category workbook
• Analyze category spend, market data, and the supplier base, identify cost drivers, and help develop sourcing and negotiation strategies that ensure maximum quality, service and value added benefits are received from suppliers at the lowest cost of ownership to the Director of Strategic Procurement
• Utilize standard contract terms and conditions and work with Category Managers and Legal to help ensure contract documents are in compliance with company policy, laws and regulations
• Identify and assist Category Managers in driving continuous improvement performance jointly with the business and key suppliers, including standardization opportunities and rationalization of specifications
• Facilitate and coordinate supplier relationship – participate in key supplier performance evaluation and informal feedback sessions, compile supplier scorecards and performance to assist Category Managers in assuring suppliers are providing quality goods and services and adhering to contracted terms and conditions
• Support supplier diversity by incorporating diverse suppliers in sourcing events, contribute to departmental supplier diversity goals and metrics and participate in supplier diversity events
• Perform job duties in compliance with Sarbanes‑Oxley 404 internal controls
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt in a fast‑moving and changing culture
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build and establish rapport with a diverse array of people.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Ability to lead by example in support of the Company’s essential characteristics and values: strong ethics and integrity, dedication to a safe work environment, commitment to a diverse workforce that recognizes and respects every individual’s unique skill and perspective.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt in a fast‑moving and changing culture.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build and establish rapport with a diverse array of people.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively…