Strategic Buyer I (Technology)

Summary

The Strategic Buyer I plays a critical role within the Strategic Supply Management (SSM) department. Reporting directly to the Category Manager for Technology, this position will support the day-to-day development and execution of category management strategies and the corresponding procurement plans, ranging from market assessment and intelligence gathering, to supplier identification and development, and to maintaining strategic supplier relationships. Critical to success in this position is for the candidate to have a strong technical background and experience necessary to effectively engage and collaborate with the Information Technology (IT), engineering, project management, operations teams, and other key partners. #LI-VB1

Responsibilities

• Assist in sourcing events for pertinent category.
• Manage and track contracts and category initiatives 
• Support the Category Management department to manage internal compliance with Procurement policies, procedures, strategies, and guidelines on an ongoing basis. 
• Assist with customers and/or contract representatives regarding contractual/legal matters of significance to the organization and update contract terms.
• Build strategic supplier relationships and improve supplier performance by addressing concerns and escalating, as necessary.
• Assist with creating and issuance of contractual documents.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on initiatives or projects in the organization, (including Canal Corporation) that may interact with SSM or Category Management projects.
• Support Category Management with managing the demand for current and potential future initiatives 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with ability to build relationships with suppliers and technical and business resources.
• Proactive, innovative, organized and able to yield outcomes quickly.
• Good presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify, quantify and utilize information to make recommendations that support business decisions.
• Negotiation skills with the ability to influence internal and external partners
   

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Procurement, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related functional area
• Information Technology Procurement experience helpful
• Experience with sourcing platforms and enterprise resource planning, i.e. Ariba eSourcing, SAP, and other related systems and solutions preferred

Physical Requirements

Office location: White Plains, NY.

Travel requirements: <5%.