STRATEGIC SOURCING CONSULTANT

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities at the Department of Central Services involving major purchasing initiatives utilizing an analytical sourcing process which leverages spending practices across the State of Oklahoma.  This includes strategic procurement planning and execution, assessment of supply chains, development of customer and product excellence, pricing strategy, business process design, and cost reduction effectiveness.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Gathers and analyzes data pertinent to strategic sourcing projects; develops metrics, benchmarks, and tools to calculate, forecast, and report savings.
• Develops specifications based on internal and external sources of information; spend analysis; tools to gather and evaluate supplier pricing.
• Benchmarks against historical cost, other state contract, and industry recognized indexes; conducts research of supplier and industry economics.
• Provides reports on annual savings to include capturing and tracking cost avoidance; identify savings levers.
• Maintains knowledge of Requests for Proposals/Solicitation process for categories.
• Acts as a liaison with all constituents.
• Develops various negotiation strategies with select suppliers.
• Internally and externally position Central Purchasing as a strategic partner with state agencies.
• Solves problems associated with supplier negotiations, data analysis, proposal evaluations, and diverse/conflicting agency requirements.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family consists of four levels which are distinguished based on the complexity of assignments, skills required to complete specific assignments, and responsibility for the supervision of others:

Level I:                     Code: F13A                     Salary Band: J
This is the entry level of the job family where employees are primarily performing duties and responsibilities involving a supporting role on the Strategic Sourcing team.  Employees work in a team environment and interact with state end-users on a regular basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the strategic sourcing process; of State purchasing statutes and regulations; and of Microsoft Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Ability is required to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships; to identify and solve problems; and to provide analyses of RFPs and vendors.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or economics and two years of professional purchasing or strategic sourcing experience; or a master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or economics and one year of professional purchasing or strategic sourcing experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of technical experience in purchasing or strategic sourcing for each year of the required bachelor’s degree.  

Level II:                     Code:   F13B                     Salary Band: K
This is the full-performance level of the job family where employees serve independently on the strategic sourcing team, working in a team environment and interacting with state end-users on a regular basis.  This includes in depth knowledge of data and analytical support for the Strategic Sourcing Team; participating in the supplier selection and negotiation process; assisting in development of final list of suppliers; and evaluating supplier responses to submitted proposals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of strategic sourcing techniques, theories, tools, and standards; and of contract administration principles and practices.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus one additional year of professional purchasing or strategic sourcing experience.

Level III:                     Code:   F13C                 Salary Band: L
This is the specialist level of the job family where employees serve as a lead worker on the strategic sourcing team.  The employees will be responsible for managing major sourcing projects and accountable for delivering significant cost reduction results to the State of Oklahoma.  This includes input in developing the strategic sourcing team’s goals and objectives; assisting with the development of tools to calculate, forecast, and report savings; building and finalizing baseline data; and providing limited supervisory responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus one additional year of professional purchasing or strategic sourcing experience.

Level IV:                     Code:   F13D                     Salary Band: M
This is supervisory level of the job family where employees manage the Strategic Sourcing Team.  The position is responsible for overseeing all major sourcing projects, and is accountable for delivering significant cost reduction results to the State of Oklahoma.  This includes developing the strategic sourcing team’s goals and objectives; leading the strategic sourcing team of project managers and analysts while overseeing day-to-day team activities and project quality; recruiting and training team members; developing performance benchmark for the team; and accountability for the team performance and overall departmental goals and metrics.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of cross-functional, inter-agency business; of commodities; and of supervisory practices and principles. Ability is required to supervise the work of others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus one additional year of professional purchasing or strategic sourcing experience.

Special Requirement:
Must be a Certified Procurement Officer within one year of start of employment.

NOTE: Professional experience in the fields listed must have been the primary job responsibility to be considered as qualifying. Incidental performance of professional work in any areas shall not be considered qualifying.

Adopted 07-01-2010