Sr. Specialist, Strategic Sourcing

Job Description

REPORTS TO
Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing

LOCATION
Woodland Hills, CA

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
Strategic Sourcing is responsible for driving strategic sourcing activity, managing key Essex suppliers, implementing procurement processes/tools, and delivering value to Essex’s bottom line.

SUPERVISORY ROLE
NA

POSITION SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE
This Sr. Specialist, Strategic Sourcing role is part of the Sourcing & Procurement team, with a focus on client engagement, supplier management, and design and ownership of the procure to pay (PTP) process. This individual is accountable for partnering on and supporting Essex sourcing initiatives that achieve value without compromising business strategy and performance.

This Sr. Specialist, Strategic Sourcing will lead and participate on cross-functional teams, responsible for implementing agreements with preferred suppliers, and continuously improve the Company’s PTP process by identifying and leading efforts with affected departments to reduce cycle times, improve customer service and enhance efficiency. This position is responsible for implementing and (when fully implemented) administering the Vendor Café functionality (which allows vendors to create and maintain their own records for Essex) and is the point of contact with our third-party company that certifies vendor insurance.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic
Development of business cases to improve the procure to pay process
Partners with our Sourcing Managers to assess the performance of key suppliers
Design, implement and take responsibility for the success of our Amazon Business program
Understand and redesign Sourcing & Procurements systems, tools and processes. Partners with IT and other Company team members as necessary



Functional
Ensure compliance with Sourcing & Procurement policies and best practices
Communicate and report to management the status of any critical external relationships that could affect planning and decision-making
Support collection and tracking of supplier contract obligations, while using discretion to mitigate any issues
Work with acquisitions/development teams to implement vendors for new communities
Ensure the Vendor Database is accurately maintained
Design communication methods and be flexible when deciding best method to use with our internal stakeholders as needed

People
Engages regularly with all levels of management for Strategic Sourcing, internal Essex stakeholders and key preferred suppliers
Works with stakeholders to identify need for new suppliers and recommends solutions


QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university;
Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a professional environment (within a procurement/sourcing team preferred)
Ability to work across an enterprise and service internal clients
Strong analytical, process design and project management skills
Strong written and oral communication skills
Able to work in a professional, fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Highly flexible and adaptable
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks
Exempt position
Occasional travel to Properties/Communities and Suppliers (west coast) required
A valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance is required POSITION SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE
This Sr. Specialist, Strategic Sourcing role is part of the Sourcing & Procurement team, with a focus on client engagement, supplier management, and design and ownership of the procure to pay (PTP) process. This individual is accountable for partnering on and supporting Essex sourcing initiatives that achieve value without compromising business strategy and performance.

This Sr. Specialist, Strategic Sourcing will lead and participate on cross-functional teams, responsible for implementing agreements with preferred suppliers, and continuously improve the Company’s PTP process by identifying and leading efforts with affected departments to reduce cycle times, improve customer service and enhance efficiency. This position is responsible for implementing and (when fully implemented) administering the Vendor Café functionality (which allows vendors to create and maintain their own records for Essex) and is the point of contact with our third-party company that certifies vendor insurance.