Strategic Sourcing Analyst
Acts as NHG agent in finding new and existing ingredients, products, suppliers, technology, and trends, for all NHG divisions. Assists NHG divisions in gathering and evaluating information needed to make decisions involving vendor qualifications, sourcing, and purchasing of raw materials, finished goods and packaging that meet NOW specs and pricing requirements. Assists in negotiating contracts, blanket purchase orders and individual purchases. Completes NOW quality inspections and audits with documentation. Assists in fill rate improvement by sourcing critical supply items. Manage relationships with both domestic and international vendors.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Gathers information for purchasing, including normal product usage, seasonal variation, current inventory levels, general trends, projected sales data, scarcity of products, and projected future price changes. Selects products for purchase by testing, observing, or examining items. Estimates values according to knowledge of market price. Performs analysis of supply market trends regarding supply and pricing to assist with strategic, long-term decisions on material purchases and inventory levels.
Obtains supplier information, including list of items or services purchased, product line, inventories, processing, quality and technical information, prices, lead time, terms, current sale prices, guarantees and insurance. Obtains general industry information regarding suppliers, including organization, personnel, policies, and history, noting past problems and corrective actions. Evaluates the financial stability of vendors or service providers. Retains, files, and organizes useful information related to purchasing.
Participates in risk assessment and control. May function as NHG quality representative for the following:
a. Make unannounced inspections to supplier facilities as needed.
b. Monitors supplier performance to include metrics such as conformance to specifications, and responsiveness to corrective action requests and monitor, analyze, and work with QA Management to drive improvement in supplier performance through supplier improvement plans.
c. Follows up on vendor corrective action requests/complaint investigations.
d. Conduct training with suppliers in quality tools & techniques. Assist suppliers in developing improved product quality, process control improvement, and in problem-solving.
e. Ensure that NHG supplier quality procedures and specifications are followed to ensure compliance with new regulations (i.e., FSMA) and NHG’s policy changes.
f. Work closely with suppliers to ensure all ingredients are from natural sources using non-GMO ingredients, where applicable.
g. Assists in the development and execution of purchasing / quality agreements with suppliers.
h. Stays current with regulations and requirements in various countries, and how they compare to the U.S. requirements.
Prepares technical information and specification comparisons for accurate decision-making by the NHG divisions. Refers samples of all new products and goods from all new suppliers to Quality Control for approval. Coordinates and supports facility audits in accordance with NOW Quality SOPs.
Discusses defective or unacceptable goods or services with Quality Control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine the source of trouble and takes corrective action. Send tests from Quality Control to various labs when required. Works with Production, Research & Development, and Engineering departments on analysis and solutions. Reviews bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
Determines method of procurement, such as direct purchase or bid. Prepares purchase orders or bid requests and negotiates on purchase order exceptions to our standard form. Obtain legal advice as needed to minimize risk to the company. Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, exchange rate and delivery schedule. Approves invoices for payment when applicable.
Assists in the rollout of new products and product improvements by securing supply and identifying and risks in the supply process. Creates project tracking documentation and ensures that projects risks are identified. Works with cross-functional teams to ensure project timeline is achieved.
Completes various reports such as monthly purchasing/cost savings/quality improvement reports.
Continually seeks new and existing products to purchase at cost savings for all NOW divisions. Continually seeks better quality products that follow NOW’s corporate goals and values.
Requires travel to trade shows and conventions and vendor sites. Assists in the annual vendor evaluation process and in vendor’s meetings.
Assists in direct importing duties, including evaluating tariffs, freight classifications, mode of transportation, and import brokers, with the eventual goal of leading this process.
Comply with safety and GMP requirements.