Location: Atlanta,GA, USA
Purchasing Category Specialist
Pay: $27 - $29 (depending on experience)
Duration: 12 months with possible extension
In-office requirements: Hybrid; in-office 2 days/week
The client is seeking a procurement professional with expertise in transportation, logistics, supply chain management, and other indirect categories. This role will support the Purchasing Category Manager overseeing these areas. The ideal candidate will have experience managing RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs, evaluating supplier proposals, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement procurement strategies. Key responsibilities include managing procurement activities, maintaining strong vendor relationships, ensuring compliance with company policies, and using Zycus for sourcing and contract management. A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required, with 2-3+ years in procurement. Experience in the automotive industry is a plus.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Develop request for information (RFI), proposal (RFP) and quote (RFQ) documents in conjunction with business department requirements for obtaining goods and services.
• Analyze and evaluate vendor quotes and proposals to determine the most desirable suppliers. Critical evaluations are performed to analyze price, quality, experience, and capabilities of each supplier. A scoring system is developed and signed by all parties.
• Facilitate interdepartmental relationships to achieve both corporate and Procurement objectives.
• Work directly with all client business departments to gain an in-depth understanding of their core business in order to help identify and solve complex problems.
• Execute various sourcing and supplier related initiatives with the support of the Purchasing Category manager
• Create purchase orders using Zycus workflow process and departmental policies and procedures.
• Create and execute contractual agreements in Zycus iContract and Docusign, ensuring policies and procedures are respected.
• Create and maintain iManage (Project Planning) and iSource (Tender Execution) projects.
• Evaluate vendor performance in relation to established service level objectives.
• Assess, develop, and implement procurement strategies for a multitude of products and services.
• Prepare vendor recommendations for decision-making (including global procurement committee (PSC) and other committee recommendations
• Obtain prior approvals throughout the areas of Finance, Accounting, Executive Management, and supporting departments while enforcing appropriate internal controls.
• Maintain detailed audit files for Professional Services related services.
Qualifications:
Education:
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Finance OR at least 4 years of work in an equivalent discipline
• Purchasing Certifications are a plus
• 2-3+ years of total experience in procurement/purchasing/buyer areas preferred
• 2+ years automotive manufacturer or industry related experience preferred
• Finance background helpful
• Responsible for the proper usage, awareness, and compliance with IT security policies
Skills:
• Comprehensive knowledge of business principles, strategies and practices
• Ability to interact with and communicate to individuals at all levels both inside and outside the organization, up to and including Executive Management.
• Ability to manage and lead meetings, presentations, and complex timelines.
• Strong PC literacy to include MS Office and experience working with Zycus or similar P2P application for sourcing, project and contract management Ability to gain working knowledge from a broad base of products and services throughout the entire organization
• Demonstrated experience working on cross-functional projects and work teams
• Ability to read and interpret contract terms and conditions