Senior Sourcing Specialist

California Water Service

Job Description:

The Senior Sourcing Specialist within the Procurement Department, coordinates and negotiates on behalf of the Company the purchases of materials, supplies, services, and equipment based on defined business requirements. This position is located at Customer Support Services (Company Headquarters) in San Jose, California.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for or plays key role in major sourcing activities including commercial analysis, RFx (Request for Information, Request for Quote, Request for Proposal), proposal evaluation, award decision, negotiation, and contracting; ensures achievement of the best value to the Company

• Coordinates with departments and districts to create Scope of Work, define business requirements, qualify suppliers, and issue solicitations

• Interfaces with suppliers to understand service capabilities, negotiates price and commercial terms, and resolve issues; manages supplier performance collaboratively with key internal stakeholders

• Works with key business functions to perform spend analysis and strategic sourcing studies to identify opportunities of optimizing procurement value; leads or coordinates strategic sourcing effort for critical materials and services that have a major impact on business strategy and operations such as construction or professional service master contracts

• Works with functions such as Legal, Engineering and Operations on contracts, ensures terms and conditions are supported, formally agreed to and authorized

• Interprets contract provisions and resolves disputes; provides advice to management on contractual implications of the Company’s or suppliers’ actions

• Provides functional advice and training in procurement activities to other employees

• Works with Supplier Diversity Program Manager to support sourcing strategies designed to increase utilization of diverse suppliers 

• Assists in the identification, evaluation, and implementation of technology to support and improve procurement practices

• Complies with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) regulations, and Procurement Policy as required; assists the Procurement Manager in enforcing the policy. Provides as needed support to audits

• Attends meetings and training as directed by the Company

• Performs work on-site in the assigned office location

• Performs other procurement duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Degree in Business, Finance, Marketing or related field and/or equivalent relevant experience

• Three to five years of experience as a procurement professional or contract administrator

• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) / Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or other certifications in procurement or supply chain is a plus

• Sourcing experience in a utility is a plus

• Sourcing for construction projects is a plus

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications

• Proficient in the use of an enterprise-wide procurement system

• Bonfire platform knowledge or other RFx platform tool

• Valid California Driver License

Salary Range: 102,000.00 - 189,400.00 USD Annual

Deadline to submit resume is Monday, September 29, 2025.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity.  California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class.  The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.