Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Position Summary

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will play a key role in supporting strategic procurement initiatives of RiseNow client, California State University (CSU) Office of the Chancellor. The incumbent will assist in the development, coordination, and execution of sourcing projects and procurement contracts that deliver value, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies. This position serves as a critical link between stakeholders, vendors, and internal teams and works to promote cost savings, contract utilization, and continuous improvement in sourcing operations.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will manage procurement activities of moderate complexity and collaborate with stakeholders across the CSU system to support strategic sourcing events, contract lifecycle management, and business development goals.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will utilize analytics, evaluate spend, identify savings opportunities, and execute through RFPs, RFQs, and supplier analysis.

This position is based in the CSU Office of the Chancellor's Long Beach, California office and requires regular in-person attendance. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of Long Beach, CA. Preference will be given to graduates of the California State University (CSU) system.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing Support:

• Manages systemwide sourcing events from research through award.
• Conduct market research and spend analysis to support sourcing strategies and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain sourcing project plans and timelines.
• Lead systemwide cross-functional sourcing discovery calls and strategy meetings with CSU representatives and outside consultants.
• Develop cost models, target savings, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Create and maintain scorecards, Key Performance Indicators, and supplier performance metrics.
• Negotiate systemwide supplier agreements and terms to ensure value and compliance.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, evaluation processes, and supplier debriefings as appropriate.

Contract Administration:

• Draft, review, and track procurement contracts, amendments, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure contracts align with CSU procurement policies and California Public Contract Code.
• Support compliance and contract lifecycle management efforts, including insurance verification and policy adherence.
• Maintain organized and current contract files and data in applicable procurement systems.

Stakeholder and Vendor Engagement:

• Collaborate with internal departments, campuses, and external stakeholders to identify sourcing needs and opportunities.
• Build and maintain vendor relationships to support sourcing event execution and contract compliance for the life-cycle of the contract.
• Serve as a liaison for contract inquiries and supplier problem resolution across the CSU system.
• Provide high-quality consultative services and guidance to campuses and departments regarding procurement processes and best practices.

Business Development and Operations:

• Support strategies that increase contract awareness, adoption, and utilization across campuses.
• Monitor and identify emerging procurement trends, policy updates, and industry benchmarks to inform sourcing efforts.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and outreach materials to support communication and engagement efforts of new strategic sourcing contracts.
• Lead and/or participate in systemwide meetings, training sessions, and advisory groups.

Other Duties:

• A leader in supporting a culture of continuous improvement, shared leadership, and professional excellence.
• Support special projects, task forces, or process improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Level of Supervision

Receives general direction regarding tasks and priorities. Operates with a degree of independence in managing assigned sourcing projects and tasks. Evaluated based on the successful completion of responsibilities and alignment with organizational goals.Expected to use sound judgement in discerning matters that should be escalated to management.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of supply chain and procurement.
• Proven in advanced analytical methodologies, with exceptional precision and meticulous attention to detail, enabling the accurate interpretation of complex data, identification of nuanced patterns, and development of high-impact, evidence-based solutions.
• Effective communication and negotiation abilities a plus.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with procurement systems and analytical software such as SQL, Python, Tableau, and others.
• Willingness to learn CSU procurement policies, California Public Contract Code, and other relevant regulations.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid or remote environment, using tools such as Teams, Zoom, and shared cloud platforms.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field.
• Experience in a higher education, public agency, or nonprofit setting is preferred.
• Extensive experience with procurement software systems (e.g., Jaggaer, PlanetBids, PeopleSoft, or similar) is desirable.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• This position requires regular in-person work at the CSU Office of the Chancellor in Long Beach, CA. Candidates must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the office.
• Occasional travel within California may be required.
• Use of standard office equipment and computer systems.