Category Sourcing Specialist

HYBRID ROLE BASED OUT OF OUR ATLANTA OFFICE

Job Purpose:

Our Category Sourcing Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing requests, driving opportunities to preferred suppliers, and negotiating cost reductions through alignment with the Veritiv Product Management strategy. This position will help train other team members and help develop new tools, reporting, and processes for greater efficiency.

Job Responsibilities:

● Source and negotiate competitive cost solutions within assigned product categories in support of the company’s go-to-market strategy in a timely manner. May support multi-category MLA opportunities as needed. 
● Deliver cost savings by negotiating competitive costs with suppliers, leveraging quote responses and available system tools, in addition to promotion of preferred suppliers and Veritiv’s private brands. 
● Collaborate with sales to confirm customer application, downstream product touch points, and determine accurate technical specifications which may include interpretation of engineering documentation, CAD drawings, gathering and measuring samples, etc. 
● Identify and collaborate with preferred suppliers that can meet the technical needs of the request; may require a search for new supplier research and supplier assessment projects 
● Build and maintain supplier relationships and provide insight into supplier performance 
● Utilize product knowledge to provide alternative product solutions or recommendations in competitive situations or when a functional equivalent is permitted. 
● Collaborate with peers and Product Management to ensure alignment on sourcing activities – suppliers recommended, cost and data sharing and other industry specific information. 
● Maintain high level of product, application and industry trends and knowledge; may require independent category level research including trade publications; may require offsite technical training. Participate in product research and product portfolio analysis projects and communicate benefit to Veritiv. 
● Facilitate and transition non-preferred spend to preferred suppliers. 
● Understand and use inventory replenishment systems (ERS) and sourcing processes, procedures and systems including Salesforce.com, VOS, Oracle UniSCORE, Cost Insight Tool, VeritivFreight.com and Smartsheet. 
● Process New Item Requests (NIRs) and New Supplier Requests (NSRs) and ensure adherence to Veritiv’s go-to-market strategy. Collaborate with Sales and Sales Support to ensure proper documentation and approvals. 
● Respond professionally and comprehensively to field requests and inquiries. 
● Comply with daily performance metrics in managing incoming sourcing activity. 
● Support efforts to onboard new category strategies. Collaborate and communicate with Inventory Management, Data Management, and Sales/Sales Support regarding potential business impacts in implementing resolution. 
● Provide additional training, education and documentation for all functional areas as needed.

Additional Responsibilities & Qualifications:

● Experience in planning, sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and supplier management required.
● Must have the ability to understand distribution and company economics and be able to effectively communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers and suppliers.

● Strong analytical skills -the ability to look at data multiple ways and provide informed opinions and contribute to business and process decisions and policy compliance.

● Excellent presentation skills are required.

Work Experience:

● 3-5 years of related job experience.● Ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure, and adapt to sudden changes in the work environment.● Ability to work quickly and efficiently.● Excellent verbal, written, people, and diplomacy skills are required.● Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.● Strong customer service skills (friendly, courteous and helpful).● Strong planning and organization skills are required.

Education:

● Bachelor's Degree Preferred

What We Offer

• Engaging and inclusive culture with employee-led Employee Resource Groups, Veritiv Cultural Alliance, recognition platform, etc.
• Extensive training opportunities, professional development programs, career pathing, and mentorship opportunities.
• Collaborative atmosphere with our customers and suppliers to create healthier, safer and more sustainable communities through our responsible operations and innovative solutions.
• Healthcare benefits (including medical, dental, vision, and health savings account), life, AD&D, and disability insurance, 401k, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, and other fringe benefits.

About Veritiv

Together with its subsidiaries, Veritiv is the leading full-service provider of packaging solutions. Veritiv also provides JanSan, hygiene, print and publishing products and services. Veritiv serves customers in a wide range of industries, through team members around the world helping shape the success of its customers. For more information, visit www.veritiv.com and connect with the Company on LinkedIn.