Do you enjoy meeting new people, and working collaboratively to develop beneficial business relationships? Are you a motivated team player with a “can do” attitude?

If so the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Central Procurement and Fleet Services Enterprise has an opportunity for you! The Strategic Sourcing Specialist (Classification: Management Analyst 3) has the primary role in working with stakeholders to understand future requirements for goods and services, and fostering business relations with potential suppliers of goods and services to fulfill those requirements.

This position requires teamwork, honesty, dependability, productivity, and accuracy; the ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing; strong customer service and organizational skills, and the ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates must be proficient in Microsoft and Google applications; demonstrate high level of integrity and professionalism in dealing with state agencies, political subdivisions, and external suppliers; comply with Iowa Code, Administrative Rules, and State of Iowa Employee Handbook.

Primary responsibilities include:

Strategic Sourcing
Develop and consistently execute category strategies across the assigned categories in support of achieving overall savings targets. Analyze category markets; assess risk, gathering intelligence on fundamental conditions and technical information that impacts the category. Analyze spend data from the internal system and external sources, and project future spend to provide early insight to agency and political subdivision needs in order to identify strategic opportunities. Develop sourcing strategies and category strategies based on market intelligence gathered. Perform total cost of ownership evaluations, perform supply-market research and conduct pricing and impact analysis. Work collaboratively with suppliers and internal stakeholders to identify and execute continuous cost and performance improvement strategies. Be the central point of expertise and knowledge for commercial aspects of each category. Lead cross functional sourcing teams and interact cross functionally with all eligible entities throughout the state. Monitor category purchasing reports and ensure compliance with policies and procedures on a continuous basis. Identify and implement streamlined category purchasing processes and supporting tools.

Procurement Planning
Define and document a planning program including required processes and key dates. Develop tools and templates to identify projected requirements. Communicate regularly with state agencies and political subdivisions to identify projected requirements for goods and services. Train internal stakeholders on program and use of required tools and templates. Revise program based on feedback received during communication/training on program.

Vendor Relations
Measure and manage vendor performance relative to contracted service levels and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Identify and resolve strategic supplier performance issues to ensure customer satisfaction. Maintain regular contact with current suppliers and resolve ongoing issues as needed. Perform outreach to potential vendors to increase their comfort with doing business with the State of Iowa. Conduct administrative fee analysis, and verify administrative fees are being received correctly.

Compliance
Review agency transactions to ensure they are using Master Agreements when appropriate. Communicate with the agency involved on any issues identified to determine the reason for the deviation from the requirement to use the Master Agreement contract.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in management analysis or project management.

2) Seven years of full-time work experience in management analysis or project management.

3) A combination of a total of seven years of education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.

4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full-time work as a Management Analyst 2 or two and a half years as a Management Analyst 1.

Join Us!
Whether it's caring for those in need, making highways safer, or improving agriculture production, the work that we do matters to the people of Iowa.

We take our responsibilities and the public trust very seriously. We are committed to delivering the services that matter most to the people of Iowa. If you have the skills, the commitment and the desire to make a difference, then we invite you to explore the career opportunities available with the State of Iowa.

Career Choices
State government is one of the largest employers in Iowa, and also one of the most diverse. From state trooper to nurse to engineer, the state offers a wide variety of career opportunities.