Sr. Strategic Sourcing Specialist

REPORTS TO: Strategic Sourcing Manager
SUPERVISES: N/A

GENERAL PURPOSE AND SCOPE: As a member of the Supply Chain group at Austal, will play a role in the performance and success of the function and the group. Will ensure Austal's Material and Service Support needs and requirements are met while maintaining a high level of customer service. Transactions will be variable, but more complex than routine, and involve significant high dollar negotiations and at times, high levels of risk.

AUTHORITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Market Research; Supplier Sourcing; Perform sourcing events; Issue drawings/specifications/SOW
• Working Individually or as part of a team, assisting with the negotiation of short and long term agreements for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, MRO materials, equipment, tooling, supplies and/or services from suppliers.
• Skillfully balancing the price, quality, service and value tradeoffs and rationalizing the supply base.
• Providing input to, and report outs on, commodity strategies and related projects.
• Assisting with Supplier metrics and advising suppliers of their performance
• Reviewing statements of work material specifications, service contracts, terms and conditions when required.
• Develop a procurement strategy by leveraging the supplier markets and delivering added value throughout the organization
• Knowing when to escalate issues, or ask for help from, the next level of management in the Supply Chain function.
• Documenting all phases of price negotiations and Pricing agreements to ensure compliance with Contractor Purchasing System Review guidelines and support the Tactical Procurement Team.
• Ensure increased efficiency in the procurement process and identify opportunities for improvements.
• Promote continuous improvement in the procurement organization.
• Able to track total spend in category and setting, measuring appropriate savings targets
• Assisting in the gathering of information to evaluate the financial stability, technical capability, process control, capacity and continuous improvement techniques of Suppliers when required.
• Following all Supply Chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials and particularly the ability to keep confidential information regarding all purchasing or commodity strategies confidential (and in some cases, within the supply chain function exclusively).
• Maintaining close communication with Supplier account and customer service personnel, and management levels if necessary, so as to minimize risk due to supplier capacity issues, plant shutdowns, and other day to day disruptions that may affect Austal and/or open purchase orders.

• Providing assistance to related departments when applicable Conduct Supplier site audits and investigations when required.

• Travel as required to complete supplier site assessments, discrepancies, delivery, tooling, quality issues and assessments.
• Ability to make professional presentations as it pertains to the strategic sourcing projects, cost improvements, supplier alliances, value engineering design opportunities, alternate sources of supply, etc.

• Working under pressure and in some cases, tight deadlines.
• Working under minimal supervision
• Participating in price book activities.
• Other duties as assigned by Managers.

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Material Management, or related field and 4 years' purchasing/sourcing experience required OR candidates without a degree may be considered with at least 8 years' of purchasing/sourcing experience.
• Preferred work experience includes performing: Material and service sourcing activities (quoting, analyzing, negotiating, reporting and purchase order placement); supplier rationalization activities (adding/removing suppliers and familiarity with Approved Supplier Lists, Bid Lists, and small business requirements);
• Experience working in materials management, material planning, and/or production planning positions is desired.
• Strong application of excel skills including pivot tables, v-lookups, etc. to manipulate RFQ's, quotations, presentations, etc.
• Experience leading projects.
• The ability to utilize structured thought processes, anticipate consequences, rationalize information and articulate understanding of purchasing strategy and vision.
• The ability to manage high risk purchasing activity with confidence.
• Microsoft Office at the intermediate skill level: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet
• Explorer, Outlook; Access a plus.
• ERP/MRP: IFS preferred; others like BAAN, SAP, JD Edwards and Oracle are acceptable.
• General understanding of how to read blueprints/drawings, interpret specifications and review statements of work.
• General understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code, U.S. Government FAR, DFARS and ITAR requirements.
• General understanding of enterprise quality system functionality (e.g., ISO 9000, AS9100, TS16949, etc.).
• General understanding of ERP systems and MRP logic.
• Significant understanding of the material, services and manufacturing

DIRECTION EXERCISED: N/A

DISCRETION EXERCISED: Incumbent will be expected to demonstrate creativity and latitude in order to meet goals and objectives established. Will require the capacity to self-direct and reprioritize activity in order to support business needs and meet deadlines. May be assigned discretionary authority to provide work direction and constructive feedback for other employees within the department. May be expected to provide input to management on the performance of team members that may affect employment actions.

LIAISES WITH: Within Austal: Tactical Buyers, Sr. Purchasing Manager, Senior Director of Supply Chain, Senior Management, Materials Program Managers, Material program staff, Senior Logistics Manager, Compliance Coordinator (Supply Chain), document control and other administrative department personnel. External: Suppliers.

MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT INVOLVED

• Basic office machines, PC, copier/scanner, etc.

HOURS OF WORK

• 40 hours per week with additional time as required or necessary.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

• Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:

• 18 years of age or older at time of application
• Able to provide proof of US Person Status
• No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
• No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
• Willing to submit to a drug screen
• Willing to submit to a background check

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: [redacted].
Austal shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. Austal's commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.