Strategic Sourcing Professional (Hybrid) Job Listing at University of California in Merced, CA (Job ID 69589)

Description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $29.41 - $52.30.  The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $34.24 - $42.80.

Job Closing Date

This position is approved for a Hybrid work modality.

The initial applicant review will take place on or around June 17, 2024 and the posting may close any time after that without notice, upon selection.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

About the Job

Under the general direction of the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager, the Strategic Sourcing Analyst provides essential analytical leadership for projects and activities performed by the Procurement and Contracting Services department. Supports the strategic sourcing team and category managers during the category analysis and planning process, strategic sourcing process, contract administration, and through the implementation and management of end-to-end supply chain solutions. Provides standard and ad-hoc reporting, including spend analysis, contract adoption and utilization, opportunity identification, cost savings, and other related categories of analysis and reporting. Conducts benchmark analysis and customer success surveys and maintains an accurate inventory of reports, analyses, and results while developing summaries and presentations of key findings and recommendations. Provides reports, analysis, and recommendations for reverse auctions, Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (sustainability) programs, small business outreach, and internal training and development. May actively participate in campus-wide initiatives and interface with UCOP Strategic Sourcing on system-wide initiatives. Applies industry best practices and organizational policies and procedures to resolve various issues. Works on projects of significant and high-impact scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of various complex factors. Interprets complex requirements for mandated reporting and develops accurate reports to satisfy required reporting.

Key Responsibilities: 

1. SPEND ANALYSIS & DATA MINING * Performs market research and spend analysis by manipulating large volumes of internal/external data sets to be used as inputs for Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Procure-to-Pay, and Contract Administration. * Develops methods and processes to gather, analyze, and document procurement requirements and forecast future requirements utilizing industry best practice methods. * Assists with developing and maintaining procurement plans and strategies to support forecasted needs of significant or high-impact complex commodity/category. * Develops and leads "should costs" modeling efforts and analytics to support fact-based negotiations, pricing strategies for reverse auctions, and RFPs/RFQs. * Prepares supporting data with recommendations to assist with identifying, prioritizing, and implementing new sourcing opportunities that will generate economic value and cost savings. * Assists in execution of supplier sourcing strategies to ensure best-in-class, timely delivery, and cost competitiveness. * Performs data analysis and benchmarking on returned quotations/proposals (bids) to determine the total cost of ownership, negotiation approach, and winning bids. * Provides support for sourcing and contract administration teams. * Applies strategies for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, quality improvements, and process efficiencies, with a focus on small businesses where viable. * Utilizes project management applications to prepare, maintain, and update project tasks and assignments for management and team members. * Coordinates reporting activity, organizes data, and provides comprehensive analysis of projects and results to management. * Under general supervision, assists with negotiating commodity/category purchase agreements based on research regarding market, pricing, and terms. * Under general supervision, solicits proposals, quotations and tender submissions and recommends selection of suppliers in accordance with sourcing policy and legal compliance
2. PROCESS & TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZATION * Assists management with identifying and implementing strategies to increase eRFX activity to achieve established KPI's. * Leads, drives, and provides guidance to the processes that drive consistency in the use of best practices for speed to market in the electronic bidding system (currently, eRFX and Reverse Auction). * Recommends new or improved methods, techniques, and procedures for running eRFX and Reverse Auction events more efficiently. * Develops bid templates with central Procurement Services team members for eRFX events. * Supports and helps drive the conversion of paper contracts to electronic contracts into the eContract management system. * Collaborates with Accounts Payable to facilitate supplier adoption of invoice and payment automation tools.
3. CONDUCT ANALYSIS & REPORTING FOR CATEGORY MANAGEMENT, STRATEGIC SOURCING, PROCURE-TO-PAY AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION * Performs active contract analysis and monitors supplier performance to ensure that objectives are achieved by performing functions including monitoring usage, cost savings/price increases, contract pricing, delivery, and performance. * Analyzes contract adoption and maverick spend. * Creates and provides reports regarding purchasing trends, cost savings and variances and resolve data discrepancies. * Conducts benchmarking with Sourcing and Category Managers. * Works to reduce and drive maverick spend to preferred contracts with Sourcing and Category Managers. * Works to drive more spend through Catalogs & Smart forms. * Performs other ad-hoc analysis and prepares reports as needed. * Conducts vendor customer satisfaction surveys. * Participates in supplier and customer business review meetings. * Plans, assists, and coordinates vendor trade fair and smaller targeted events hosted by central Procurement Services, if needed. * Develops reports based on mandated reporting requirements at the local, state, and national levels and generates reports that comply with applicable requirements to ensure the University meets its reporting obligations.
4. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED PURCHASING (SUSTAINABILITY) AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) * Leads and coordinates with management responses to requests related to UC policy on sustainable practices. * Participates in the development of metrics and reporting processes for documenting sustainability efforts by our suppliers. * Interviews sustainability practitioners and accurately translates needs into Procurement data collection and reporting processes. * Compiles, reviews, and consolidates supplier data sets and contributions related to recycling and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing for sustainability reporting. * Assists with implementing Environmentally Preferrable Purchasing best practices for reporting purposes. * Performs research to identify environmentally preferable products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training; and
• One (1) year of directly related, progressively responsible experience in supply chain, analytics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (required).
• Working knowledge of strategic sourcing policies, practices and systems. 
• Working knowledge of sourcing commodity / category. 
• Ability to independently gather, organize, and perform analytical or sourcing assignments. 
• Demonstrated listening and communication skills, including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner verbally and in writing. 
• Organizational, meeting facilitation and decision-making skills.

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.  

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy.  All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline.  For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment. 

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace.  Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an  Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland  Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

Employee Referral Program

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7       Referrals                         

How did you hear about the job?          (select) “other”

Additional information?                         (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source?                     (write in) first and last name of referring employee 

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility. 

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