Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Sourcing Specialist

Are you looking to join an elevated team that supports a wide range of projects? Are you skilled in contracts, negotiations, and management of solicitations? Are you able to provide high-level service to stakeholders? This opportunity may be the perfect fit for you. Our Procurement Services team is hiring a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to support our strategic sourcing efforts, timing, and impact of contracting and purchasing functions. Our team is responsible for creating, managing, and renewing contracts, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and working with suppliers to negotiate terms for goods and services to support the success of Colorado Springs Utilities. In this role, you will establish, manage, and enhance relationships with our strategic business customers.

This position differs from the Buyer positions in that the incumbents are responsible for the purchasing of goods and services, leveraging negotiated and executed agreements, along ensuring on-time delivery of such goods for the organization. Versus Sourcing Specialists who are called upon to facilitate making awards requiring expert judgment based on a firm foundation of experience and training along with negotiation and management of contract agreements.

Please note that this position offers flexible scheduling following the six-month probationary period (e.g., the option to work 9-hour days, with every other Friday off - or a hybrid work schedule, which is a pre-determined blend of working from home and in the office).

What to look forward to:

Responsible for sourcing events, including taking the lead on the RFx process (i.e. RFPs, RFIs, IFBs), working with stakeholders to ensure the selection of best-value suppliers through fair and ethical practices, while adhering to public procurement policies and procedures

Manage procurement process from the creation of solicitation document up to notice to proceed, assuring notification to and approval at all appropriate stages in the process; identify procurement issues that could impede procurement process

Formulate, solicit, analyze, and award simple to complex assigned invitations for bids and requests for proposals including collaboration of requirements

Schedule, conduct, and direct pre-bid meetings and site visits; schedule, conduct, and direct oral presentations; evaluate bids and proposals and make awards

Creating, negotiating, and managing contracts from drafting through execution

Including negotiating legal terms and conditions in partnership with the City Attorney’s office – Utilities Division

Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations

Negotiation and management of complex Statements of Work, Task Orders, Amendments, and other contractual methods for the management of projects

Providing a high level of service by engaging with internal stakeholders through collaboration, training, and guiding advanced sourcing, supplier management, policies & processes, and risk mitigation practices

Effectively collaborates with external stakeholders to ensure efficient delivery of a good or service through strong communication methods and coordination between all parties

Facilitating cost analysis, negotiations, and strategies to achieve cost savings

Evaluating supplier performance and reliability

Participating in internal initiatives, such as supplier outreach, process writing, identifying/implementing efficiencies, developing internal training, etc.

Who You Are:

Relevant and progressive experience in Procurement, Contract Administration, or Contract Management involving legal issues and negotiations

Proven track record of success in building relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Experience successfully communicating both in verbal and written form to high-level audiences.

Ability to analyze and interpret information necessary to make decisions.

Knowledge of industry processes and regulations is valued

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is valued

Experience in Municipal (local or state) procurement policies and best practices is valued

Experience in Maximo or GEP Smart is highly valued

Professional Certifications in Supply Chain/ Procurement/Contract Management are valued (NIGP, ISM, etc.)

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

The military job codes/duty codes most closely related to this role are: 92A, 92Y, 92Z with 51C and 2S031, 2S032, 2S051, 2S052, 2S071, 2S072, 2S091, 2S0X1, 2S0X2 = 6C0X1

Who We Are:

One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation (over 500,000 customers)

A national leader in reliability (power on an average of 99.991% of the time)

Diamond Designation recipient from the American Public Power Association – a utility sector leader in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most desired cities to live in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)

Our Commitment to Our Employees: Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We do not just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge

Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year

Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave

Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year

Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather

Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time

Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire

Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $10.00 a month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements

Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage

Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery

Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans

Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more

Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones

Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available

Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program