Sourcing Specialist - Ameren Bright Return Program

reacHIRE is proud to partner with Ameren for a paid 6 month return-to-work program starting in October 2022 designed for individuals who are returning to the workforce after a 2+ year career break. 

Candidates who have worked in part-time roles or have done independent contracting will be considered for this opportunity. It is a cohort-based model that allows individuals to re-enter the workforce in a supported way with a group of fellow returning professionals. We provide a one-week intensive onboarding specially designed to build the skills needed to successfully re-enter the workforce. This proven approach fosters camaraderie among colleagues, builds confidence and upgrades technology and professional skills that will be invaluable throughout this next phase of their career.

Please note: Some of the responsibilities and areas of expertise listed below represent performance expectations to be met by the end of the 6-month program. Ameren's Bright Return program is designed to get you back to work with a supported onramp. We encourage all candidates with prior relevant experience in a similar role to apply!

About the Position

The Sourcing Specialist supports strategic procurement and category management processes that create sustainable value through lower costs, improved supplier performance and efficiency with a keen appreciation/consideration for Business Partner needs and priorities. Works with cross-functional teams in the implementation of category management processes. Conducts research and analysis to develop strategy and drive decision-making regarding spend, suppliers and markets. Develops category and commodity cost models. Works with Supply Chain (SC) staff and Business Partners to provide day-to-day support, strategic sourcing and procurement, and respond to questions and solve problems. The Sourcing Specialist should have skills and expertise in the following areas:

Strategic Procurement 

• Category management
• Spend analysis, market analysis and demand planning, leading practices for strategic sourcing
• Negotiations and contract structuring
• Supplier performance

Supply Chain Management 

• Change management
• Continuous improvement
• Supplier relationship management (SRM)
• Business Partner relationship management

Key responsibilities include:

• Category Management: Support Portfolio Managers and Category Managers in category management activities and processes that ensure Business Partner satisfaction and value creation. Support regular assessment of Business Partner requirements and matching procurement plans to meet/adapt to business needs. Seek to develop category expertise, market dynamics and trends knowledge, insights about suppliers, pricing, and negotiating tactics.
• Spend Analysis: Coordinate with and leverage market, supplier, and spend analyses with Sourcing Analysts to inform category strategies and competitive solicitations (e.g., RFQs). Help implement, in collaboration with Portfolio Managers and Category Managers, leading practices for spend/market analysis to develop value-adding sourcing strategies. 
• Strategic Sourcing: Execute sourcing strategies based on Category Manager guidance and leading practices and provide commercial and procurement expertise to deliver optimal outcomes. Develop competitive solicitation, bid evaluation, and negotiations materials. Support bid evaluation, negotiation strategy development, and negotiation execution. Develop contracting documentation based on established (and negotiated) terms and conditions, pricing, performance criteria, and any risk mitigations.
• Supplier Relationship Management: As directed, communicates with suppliers and is knowledgeable about procurement practices and category strategy. Develop, maintain, and appropriately build positive and influential relationships with suppliers and Business Partners to assure Ameren of long-term, cost-effective, procurement strategy in procurement of key services and goods.
• Supply Chain Strategy: Support the SC and category strategy development process with analysis and helps integrate it with regular business planning and budgeting cycles for SC and Ameren. Work closely with Category Manager to align strategy making processes with Business Partner processes. Assist in the preparation and communication of business cases to support SC initiatives and priorities.
• Continuous Improvement: Use continuous improvement framework to sustain SC strategy and compliance with Ameren objectives. To achieve process excellence and stay current with industry innovations, the Specialist helps identify and implement, in collaboration with the Supply Chain management, leading practices throughout the organization. Communicate initiatives and improvements to Business Partners as appropriate.

Technical Expertise 

• Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in Engineering, Business, Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, Digital, or other related field
• MBA, other related graduate degree, or Doctorate preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and time-management skills
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) preferred
• Proficient with the MS Office suite

Leadership Characteristics 

• Strong customer-oriented mindset
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with an ability to communicate with suppliers and business partners 
• Ability to be persuasive and build credibility internally and externally
• Ability to lead multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously
• Ability to provide guidance to develop and evolve category management processes, develop metrics, and engage suppliers on operational, strategic, and financial issues

Work Experience 

• Five or more years of directly relevant work experience required, including experience working with cross-functional teams
• Candidates with an advanced degree or Doctorate will be considered with three or more years of experience. 
• Sourcing experience, preferably within the utility, manufacturing, or construction sector

In addition to the above qualifications, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong business acumen and communication skills with the ability to make sound judgments. 
• Proven analytic, financial and operational skills. 
• Strong self-starter with the ability to prioritize and deliver on deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Effective team player with the ability to work with all levels of internal and external stakeholders. Excellent communication, business writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Power Point, Excel, Word, etc.) Ameren competencies:  Think Customer, Inspire and Engage, Foster Innovation, Drive Results, Champion Learning, Build Trust and Be Strategic.  

reacHIRE is changing the trajectory for individuals in the workplace by partnering with forward-thinking companies. Through customized programs tailored to a company's unique business needs and culture, reacHIRE carefully selects under-the-radar, top talent who voluntarily off-ramped and are ready to on-ramp back into their career. At the end of the program, you may be eligible for full-time or extended contracting work, but it is not guaranteed. reacHIRE will provide 360 degree support along with a dedicated Program Manager to ensure your success every step of the way!

Our Returnship Program participants come from all walks of life, and so do we. At reacHIRE, the sum of our individual differences, life experiences, innovative thinking and self-expression is what makes us great. We hire exceptional talent from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us, our programs, and the forward-thinking companies we partner with stronger, better and more innovative.  Be you and reach higher!

reacHIRE will reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities who need adjustments in order to complete the application or interview process.  For assistance with your application please contact Sarah White at swhite@reachire.com.

About Ameren:

We're Ameren Corporation (AEE), a St. Louis-based, Fortune 500 company that powers the quality of life for millions of people throughout Illinois and Missouri.

Ameren Illinois provides electric distribution and transmission service, as well as natural gas distribution service, while Ameren Missouri provides vertically integrated electric service, with generating capacity of over 10,200 megawatts, and natural gas distribution service. Combined, we serve 2.4 million electric and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000 square mile area. We're the largest electric utility in Missouri and the second largest in Illinois, and we're among the nation's largest investor-owned electric or gas utility.

Our workforce is dedicated to keeping the lights on and the gas flowing – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That same kind of dedication and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has helped us build an "All-In" supportive and accepting diverse culture where opinions are shared in an environment where all are respected, and the best solutions are put into action.