Sr. Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)
Laurel, MD
About the Job
Position Information
Functional TitleSr. Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Recruitment Category TypeStandard
Functional CategoryProcurement & Supplier Diversity
GradeGS.15
FLSA StatusExempt
Requisition Number24-0138
Number of Vacancies1
Job LevelNon-Management
Job CodeN/A
Job Description Summary
Performs complex Strategic Sourcing and contracting duties across all business and functional groups within WSSC Water both independently and within a team setting. Strategic sourcing contracting duties include using a fact-based, rigorous process that involves substantial internal data gathering and evaluation; extensive external data gathering and interactions; selecting the most appropriate strategy and negotiations approach; and ultimately selecting and managing the right suppliers.
Organization NameProcurement
Reports toSection Manager, Strategic Sourcing
Full or Part TimeFull Time
If Part Time how many hours per week
Regular or TemporaryRegular
Position End Date (if temporary)
Work Schedule
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Position LocationLaurel
Position Summary Information
General Summary
TheSr. Strategic Sourcing Specialistperforms complex strategic sourcing and contracting duties across all business and functional groups within WSSC Water both independently and within a team setting.
Essential Functions
+ Has authority to bind the Commission on purchases per the delegation of authority
+ Gains a thorough knowledge of products & services, supplier’s processes and industry trends and practices
+ Analyzes spend data/trends to identify and develop overall strategic sourcing initiatives which meet the needs of the Commission
+ Recommends agreement formation to the strategic sourcing manager based on research of institutional spend, end-user impact, feedback and activity along with marketplace analysis
+ Performs intricate financial analysis of supplier data, organizational spend, project data, and assess total cost ownership to identify savings and general sourcing opportunities
+ Identifies and assesses potential opportunities, develop business cases, and present recommendations to various levels of management to build support for sourcing initiatives
+ Applies qualitative thinking to leverage both data and non-data driven insight to form an opinion thereby facilitating technical decision making
+ Acts as a consultant to other teams and personnel, for unusually large or complex strategic procurements
+ Briefs and discusses with general counsel, chief procurement officer, strategic sourcing manager and other senior staff the thrust of suppliers’ / contractors’ position
+ Advises customers of situations and business issues
+ Assists and leads in the pre-award contracting process to include participation in determining the method of procurement and type of contract, preparation of synopsis, preparation of solicitations documents, including use of unusual clauses, propriety specifications, unusual bidding structures, advertising or soliciting proposals, receiving bids/offers, verifying responsiveness and responsibility, awarding contracts, and preparing required reports
+ Obtains any approvals or clearances required for the method of procurement and/or contract award; develops justification for sole source negotiations and prepares applicable determinations and/or findings
+ Acts as a consultant to sourcing teams to resolve irregularities in competitively bid and negotiated strategic contracts as well as mistakes in bids and bid protests
+ Determines acceptability of any special award requirements
+ Obtains any approvals or clearances required for the method of procurement and/or contract award
+ Executes contract documents for negotiated contracts and sealed, competitively bid contracts
+ Independently manages the more difficult, complex contract issues involving disputes, modifications, claims, and close-outs
+ Performs cradle to grave contract administration on all assigned contracts
+ Responsible for timely performance and satisfactory quality and quantity of all assigned contracts
+ Supports Strategic Sourcing Teams and/or the Strategic Sourcing Section Manager in achievement of strategic objectives assisting as required with high-profile procurements, preparation of contracts and development of customer-oriented processes that are consistent with WSSC Water policies
+ Devises innovative contractual methods and procedures
+ Recommends the most feasible approach within the framework of existing requirements and regulations/policy to successfully execute the procurement where current guidelines are not sufficient
+ Advises customers on policies, business practices and contract interpretation.
+ Versed in all types of contracts and works with customers to select the appropriate contract type for a specified effort
+ Assists in source selection plan development
+ Works as a partner with project managers in formulating, awarding, and executing contracts (cradle to grave partnership)
+ Responsible for working with suppliers to provide cost-effective, timely delivery of products or services with stringent technical specifications and complex quality requirements
+ Develops, establishes, and maintains high caliber professional relationships with suppliers and internal customers
+ Establishes and develops preferred supplier programs and partnerships to meet the current and future needs of the organization
+ Manages supplier performance and perform supplier evaluations
+ Develop plans for service improvement and implement corrective actions as required
Other Functions
+ Assists in updating WSSC Water procurement policy and operating procedures involving the integrity of the contract process and enforces compliance with guidance contained therein
+ May exercise limited contracting officer authority for a wide range of contracts
+ May be assigned to chair evaluation and selection panels and write associated recommendations and reports
+ Acts as a consultant to other teams and personnel, among others, for unusually large or complex strategic procurements
+ Develops sourcing strategy presentations for the chief procurement officer and presents at supply chain management steering committee, if required
+ Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Work is performed in a business casual office environment.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
+ Ability to conduct effective negotiations for the most complex and difficult contracts and contract modifications and claims, with the ability to maintain the proper degree of business equity when dealing with private industry and in seeking WSSC Water management approvals
+ Ability to lead negotiation teams in negotiating prices, terms and conditions and settlement for competitively negotiated contracts and for the resolution of complex change orders and claims
+ Dispute resolution skills in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, litigation and other remedies
+ Skill in financial and quantitative analysis to analyze contractor financial statements and perform extension computations on cost/price data analysis, including review of cost breakdowns to determine reasonableness
+ In-depth knowledge of various types of contracts, methods of contracting and selection factors to plan appropriate strategies to procure complex requirements
+ In-depth knowledge of contractual techniques when changes in the technical requirements, design concepts, etc., are required during the course of the contract, i.e., development of new terms and conditions, or other innovations necessary to satisfy a unique procurement requirement or condition
+ In-depth knowledge in collection, analysis, and interpretation of data concerning procurement and sourcing operations, encompassing a grasp of cost structures, supplier performance assessment, and the recognition of potential cost-saving opportunities.
+ Knowledge of purchasing information technology and automated data processing applications
+ Ability to write clear and concise reports, memoranda directives, and letters
+ Ability to effectively communicate and make presentations to a wide variety of audiences
+ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Commission officials, private contractors, and procurement staff personnel
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
+ Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Public Administration or a related field
+ 5+ years of experience in procurement and contract administration contracts
+ Experience leading cross-functional teams in an engineering, finance, operations, procurement or supply chain management office
OR
+ High School diploma or equivalent
+ 9+ years of experience in procurement and contract administration
+ Experience leading cross-functional teams in engineering, finance, operations, procurement or supply chain management office
Additional Requirements
Completion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter
Preferences
+ Certified Purchasing Manager ( CPM )
+ Certified Professional in Supply Management ( CPSM )
+ Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity ( CPSD )
+ Certified Public Purchasing Officer ( CPPO )
+ Certified Public Purchasing Buyer ( CPPB )
+ Certified in Production and Inventory Management ( CPIM ), designation as a Federal Government Acquisition Professional certified to Level II, or equivalent
+ Background in public sector procurement
+ Historic orientation and focus toward providing quality and timely contract management and administration
+ Course work in negotiations, cost & price analysis, advanced contract management, and contract law
Salary$93,240 - $158,760
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Commission to select new employees and to promote current employees without regard to race, sexual orientation, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicap. The Commission does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability and will make reasonable accommodation for any disability that does not result in undue hardship for the Commission.
Close Date
Open Until FilledYes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Additional Information
All applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.
Eligibile candidates will be released for review after 12/6/2023.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
+ * Do you possess an active certification(s) from an accredited procurement program such as a CSCP, CPSM, CPPO, CPSD, CPPB, CPIM, or designation as a Federal Government Acquisition Professional certified as level II or equivalent?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Will you, now or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Are you an eligible veteran of any branch of the armed forces who has received an honorable discharge or Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Military Service, the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran?
+ Yes
+ No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
+ Resume
Optional Documents
+ Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Source : Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)