Procurement Category Specialist

Provides overall support of the Procurement team through assigned responsibilities and additional Category Management duties as required.  Responsible for creating and executing strategies and tactics to deliver Raw Materials, Packaging and/or Indirect supplies to meet the needs of the business. This includes evaluating opportunities, analyzing data and making decisions to balance quality, cost and surety of supply to optimize business results.   General responsibilities include item set-up/maintenance, supplier evaluation and performance management, regulatory compliance, volume forecast review and adjustments, risk assessment and mitigation and other Category Management related duties as assigned.

Understand Business Requirements and Challenges through interviews with key stakeholders (Operations, Planning, R&D, Finance, Purchasing, Procurement Services, Sales, Engineering, etc)

Identify and manage exceptions to established Supplier Performance targets

Review and adjust Supplier Forecasts and resolve discrepancies with Suppliers to ensure efficient inventory management and product flow

Prepare and report data as needed/requested to management. Track and report Supplier Risk and facilitate Mitigation Strategy Development and Implementation

Forecast communication with suppliers (reviewing and sending monthly updates)

KPI metric review and communication with Category Managers

Development of Standard Work Practices (SWI) to deliver consistent execution and improve efficiency

Commodity tracking, analysis, trend identification and reporting to the Category Management teams

Manage and complete sustainability requests from Sales

Assist in executing monthly cost forecasting process 

Develop, roll-out and maintain monthly market trend reporting process

Complete SRSA process for new items and lead communication with cross functional teams

Manage ingredient testing and set-up

Support Category Managers in SIR Reviews

Prepare and load cost updates into systems to support the Category Mangers

Coordinate, schedule and organize Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) for strategic Suppliers

Identify, analyze and provide insights on Supplier Scorecards to Category Managers

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization. 

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas. 

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, web-based meeting, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment, office environment, and surrounding property.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed in required environment.

Travel: Travels within North America to and from multiple facilities, suppliers or work-sites or customer visits, often requiring overnight stays. Approximately 5-15%.

Technical Experience: High level of competency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, etc) Oracle ERP and/or JDE experience, Tableau, Oracle Analytics Cloud or other reporting platform experience. Process driven mindset and ability to drive efficiency gains through automation and delivered sustainable, systemic driven solutions that were adopted by the organization. Ability to foster and develop relationships with cross functional teams and leverage those relationships to deliver business results. Strong communication skills (written, verbal and presentation).

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, or other business or Agriculture related area or 4  years related experience. Strong and demonstrated Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Tableau experience.

Preferred Education: Designated Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) or equivalent, MBA

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.

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