Sourcing Specialist

Overview

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference?  If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. 

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do.  We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world.  We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. 

Are you in?  Read on for more details about this particular role.

Responsibilities

Sourcing Specialist performs a functional role in a regional/multi-site setting to execute supplier and category sourcing strategies for MSA. Specifically, this position will focus on implement supplier and category sourcing strategies for MSA as well as facilitating the operations of the sourcing team and processes, support of the bidding process for raw materials, semi-finished or finished goods and services and will work to ensure suppliers meet all specified requirements surrounding EHS, quality, delivery, cost, and customer experience. 

The incumbent is expected to implement cost savings initiatives for externally procured material, execute against specific category strategies, and  develop positive relationships with internal and external (supplier) stakeholders.The incumbent will provide support as necessary for other regional and global sourcing teams on arising category sourcing tasks and will contribute to the overall category performance targets and corporate goals. The incumbent must demonstrate adaptability, knowledge of sourcing and purchasing, and possess contracting and negotiation experience. Data analytics regarding the industry, supplier categorization and consolidation, and spend analysis are necessary and a key enabler for success in this role.

Cost Support

• Manage cost through control, analysis, and communication of Purchased Price Variance (PPV) or other relevant financial controls. 
• Conduct and communicate category-based spend analysis.
• Identify future cost savings pipeline and implement savings initiatives.
• Participate and drive results in VAVE workshops.
• Provide feedback relevant to budgeting process.
• Drive compliance of P2P process.
• Manage cash flow through negotiation of extended credit terms.
• Continually aim to contribute ideas for the improvement of savings, systems, or processes.

Supplier Management Support

• Manage appropriate sources of supply and maintain cooperative working relationships with suppliers.
• Stay current with trends in technologies, products, and services.
• Prepare RFPs/bid documents, analyze proposals based on pre-defined criteria and facilitate supplier award process.
• Conduct and communicate results of Supplier Business Reviews and develop corresponding action plans.
• Maintain and communicate MSA’s Preferred Supplier List.
• Resolve supplier conflicts escalated by the business.
• Support supplier social responsibility and risk mitigation.
• Plan and execute required supplier communications.
• Determine the need for and negotiate contracts.
• Complete any other tasks assigned by the direct supervisor

Category Management Support

• Analyze forecasted shifts in supply markets, industry trends and supplier economic cycles.
• Create and drive (partnering with cross-functional stakeholders where applicable) long-term category strategies designed to fulfill enterprise-wide requirements and achieve maximum life-cycle value.
• Segment suppliers in accordance with defined strategy.
• Follow environmentally- and ethically-sound procurement practices of contracted goods and services which includes compliance with corporate and departmental policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local regulations.

Contract Support

• Ensure participation in contract creation, reviews, and renewals, developing strategy for alignment and consistency to drive cost synergies.
• Drive consistency and optimal utilization of competitive bidding process, negotiations, and terms and conditions requirements to achieve desired results. 
• Utilize the contract management system (CMS) in collaboration with the Legal department as the standard repository.

Master Data Integrity

• Assist with the control, analysis, and communication of Purchased Price Variance (PPV) or other relevant financial controls.
• Coordinate Purchasing Information Record (PIR) maintenance.
• Coordinate purchasing master data updates in conjunction with the budget process which includes identifying, modifying, analyzing, and summarizing Purchasing Information Record (PIR) changes for materials in the region. 
• Provide feedback relevant to Budgeting process.

Qualifications

Experience required:

• 8+ years purchasing / procurement experience
• Advanced skills with Excel and data analytics
• Strong experience sourcing mechanical components and materials, preferably metals and plastics

Education required: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain / Engineering / Logistics / Business or Related Field

Experience preferred:

• Experience using SAP 
• Proficient with negotiations and contracting
• Experience with supplier relationship management, strategy implementation
• Relevant Sourcing and Category Management experience

Education preferred:

• ASCM: CSCP or ISM: CIPS  / CPSM Certification

Travel:

• <15%

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