Commodity Manager - IT Hardware Procurement - Military Veterans

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

Responsible for all facets of procurement for computers, laptops, desktops, peripherals, bus technology hardware, tech stack components, cameras, surveillance, EV chargers, telecom, and connectivity. The position is responsible for the entire procurement process from source selection to contract implementation, data maintenance, new supplier identification, portfolio optimization and engagement in the development and implementation of the commodity strategy. Cost reduction activities are a significant element of this role. The overall expectation is that this position requires the individual to deliver tangible business results. This role reports to the Sr. Director of Procurement.

Major Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership of the commodities -
  
  
  • Develop expertise in the target commodity and a thorough understanding of demand/supply market dynamics
  
  
  • Demonstrate a good understanding of the total cost of ownership and various savings levers applicable to drive cost savings
  
  
  • Lead a cross functional effort to develop and implement commodity strategies for assigned commodities
  
  
  • Prepare for and conduct contract negotiations
  
  
  • Monitor supply markets and industries including pricing trends, new suppliers and alternative solutions and supply risks
  
  
  • Manage day to day relationships with suppliers, including but not limited to:
  
  
  • Monitor business transactions for commodities
  
  
  • Develop and understand supply chain life cycle as requested by internal and external customers, validating business transaction flow
  
  
  • Monitor purchase-order life cycle including: system entry and maintenance, partner confirmation, ensuring order and audit receipts
  
  
  
  


• Customer Support -
  
  
  • Respond and resolve order, delivery and service-related inquiries from internal and external customers within specified time-frames
  
  
  • Responsible for administration and upholding the integrity of Procurement's centralized programs
  
  
  • Educate and communicate with all stakeholders, as a key advocate of all programs to clearly communicate benefits of commodity programs to stakeholders
  
  
  
  

• Business Analysis -
  
  
  • Coordinate continued actions ensuring conformance to supplier contract and practices by suppliers
  
  
  • Identify and work with stakeholders ensuring compliance to centralized procurement agreement policies and procedures
  
  
  • Use of tools and data to identify and implement additional opportunities for savings and growth of the business
  
  
  • Maintain internal records of location commodity requirements, contacts, and other pertinent information related to purchasing agreements
  
  
  
  


• Transition and Project Support -
  
  
  • Assist with all stakeholders as related to procurement actions
  
  
  • Assist with special projects as required, such as creating and maintaining asset inventories, pricing set-ups and requirements
  
  
  • Support changes to existing commodity suppliers as needed
  
  
  • May mentor/train other Commodity Specialists
  
  
  • Perform other duties and take direction as assigned by director, within specified time-frames.
  
  
  
  

Minimum Experience & Skills Required

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent


• Minimum 8 years experience in purchasing or equivalent experience


• Strong analytical, organizational, and computer skills


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic business environment


• Quick thinker with excellent problem solving ability


• Able to work independently and in a group setting


• Ability to learn and adapt to varied work assignments


• Strong oral and written communication and inter-personal skills needed for dealing effectively with all customers and suppliers

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf .