Savvas Learning Company leverages the expertise and scale of external development teams to develop and produce content in a wide array of formats (print, digital, web, mobile, animation, VR) across the core K-12 instructional markets. To effectively support best in class product development in a variable cost model that meets quality expectations, delivery timelines, and cost parameters it is critical that the selection and management of suppliers is optimized.

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Sourcing, the Sourcing Specialist, looks across multiple content areas to assess the development need and identify the right vendor partner(s) for the effort. This requires gathering market intelligence, soliciting internal feedback regarding vendor performance, and assessment of the talent of each supplier. This requires leading capability calls with suppliers and taking an active role in the Annual Sourcing Roadmap meetings to understand the development pipeline.

The Sourcing Strategist is required to understand the requirements of each development assignment in order to lead RFP and DoS Creation that aligns with the established Workflow(s) and Schedule. Additionally, the Sourcing Strategist will play a consulting role in Project Costing. The Sourcing Specialist leads Bidding and Negotiation.

To effectively launch and manage the suppliers, the Sourcing Specialist will actively support Project Launch for all major program components. They will provide support to the Suppliers in project start up to ensure all needed support is provided to the supplier to achieve mutual success. The Sourcing Specialist will take an active role in supporting performance challenges by providing mediation, root cause analysis, and mitigation support.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supplier Roster Management

• Maintain active awareness of the suppliers across the K-12 Landscape; schedule capability calls at regular intervals to keep Content Areas current on vendor profiles.
• Provide recommendations to the functional teams across the content areas in planning stages.
• Provide vendor assignment information for Business Cases and Business Plans.

Supplier Engagement

• Lead formal RFI (Request for Information) and RFP (Request for Proposal) requests during early product planning stages.
• Stay on cutting edge of emerging product development types and deliveries.
• Lead DoS creation using collaborative software
• Ensure alignment of DoS and Bids to Workflow(s) and project schedules
• Prepare/manage project bids and analyze responses.
• Partner with Sourcing Operations to support successful contracting.
• Collaborate with the functional team to validate assumptions and provide costs for project Change Requests.

Supplier Launch and Set Up:

• Provide details, support, and trouble-shooting in vendor onboarding
• Provide support in Vendor Launch Preparation
• Be a resource to supplier in new product launches providing direction on queries, escalation on blockers, and ensuring launch materials provide the information required.

Supplier Performance

• Monitor the development across the content areas providing first line support in the event of supplier issues
• Provide first line support in root cause analysis in the event of program issues
• Provide support to all functional teams and suppliers in issue mitigation.

Other Duties

• Support Sourcing initiatives as requested

SCOPE AND IMPACT OF JOB

Dollar responsibilities (budget and/or revenue)

• Direct impact on up to $25m annual spending across assigned content areas
• Responsible for optimizing vendor engagement to minimize risk, minimize cost, and obtain goods and services that meet expectations.
• Guiding the business teams as needed to optimize each vendor engagement and meet development timelines.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Related work experience

• 7 years of extensive experience in K-12 educational publishing.
• Direct experience in working with development and creative professionals in an outsourced model.
• Knowledge of K-12 basic concepts and curricula is preferred.
• Demonstration of best practices in communication, relationship management, and bid development is required.
• Experience working with vendors, including monitoring performance, is required.

Formal education or equivalent

• BA or BS, preferably in business, communication arts, or other technical functional areas.

SkillsThis position requires a working knowledge of K-12 concepts, content development basics, production basics, and the ability to interpret development requirements as conveyed by development staff. Strategists must possess the ability to pay close attention to detail, demonstrate a high degree of multi-tasking and prioritization skills, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and demonstrate an ability to work with people of all levels and specialized fields throughout the organization.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This person must be able to sit or stand at a personal computer typing and reading for a reasonable length of time. The ability to manage a high volume of work and operate in a demanding work environment is critical.

• Project Management: Able to manage multiple projects at once, keep track of workflow issues related to each project, and develop proactive methods to keep projects on track
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Technology: Excellent working knowledge of collaborative software and databases and how to use them to most effectively to achieve goals
• Interpersonal: Able to work well with people at all levels of an organization and to establish productive work relationships
• Financial: Able to establish and negotiate rates for creative work and monitor costs
• Problem solving/decision making: Aptitude for recognizing problems and identifying creative solutions; make and defend decisions, evaluate options and provide support for decisions
• Collaboration: Skill in working in a team environment, communicating effectively with managers and team members, and anticipating team and project workflow issues