Category Analyst

Position: Category Analyst Length: 6+ months (Possible extensions based of performance) Location: Atlanta, GA Shift: Onsite/Hybrid Interview Mode: Video 1st and Onsite face to face 2nd Job Description: Reporting to the Category Manager, the Category Analyst role supports the Category Management group in analyzing data and the development of category strategies by translating data and facts into information used to develop category strategy and managed ongoing supplier performance. The Category Analyst is responsible for gathering necessary data, completing spend analysis, developing and updating baseline using the category data, supply market analysis, sourcing evaluation models, developing negotiation models and supplier performance metrics and monitoring solutions. Candidates must have engineering or finance background with very strong analytics.  SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Identify, gather, and analyze various spend data as it applies to Category Sourcing 1. Perform detailed analysis on various categories to understand and capture the market trends, indices, benchmarks, cost drivers, suppliers, and best practices 1. Perform periodic "spend criticality analysis" at the category and Enterprise level 1. Provide input to value propositions and sourcing options leveraging various SCM tools 1. Develop and maintain a database of potential sourcing suppliers 1. Gather external category data and regularly segment category spend to understand off contract or non compliant spend within a category 1. Build total cost of ownership models and prioritize opportunities 1. Analyze marketplace and identify industry structure and levers in supply market 1. Assess new market entrants, non-traditional suppliers, and substitute products/services while summarizing improvement opportunities 1. Develop strategic sourcing evaluation models and negotiation models 1. Develop supplier scorecards, assist in measurement of Key Performance Indicators and Service Levels for strategic suppliers 1. Support development and documentation current state maps and future state processes and technology requirements OVERALL QUALIFICATIONS:  Academic Certification An undergraduate degree in a technical or business discipline or equivalent is desired. Engineering or Computer Science degree. Finance and/or economics Bachelors degree Professional Certification Project management certification or Professional Supply Chain certification is desirable. Role Specific Experience 3-5 years of experience in category management and/or data analysis experience including experience with leading analytics and visualisation solutions such as PowerBI, Tableau, Python, Qlickview, Alteryx or SQL to extract data from relational databases Industry Specific Experience Experience within the rail industry is preferred, and preference will be given to candidates with industry experience in these or alternative leading practice Supply Chain industries. Other Technical Skills / Abilities Competency in written and oral communication skills, project management skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, people management skills and financial acumen are a requirement. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:  Competency Description Project Management ▪ Demonstrates thorough understanding of Project management competency, tools and techniques and can help solve problems or breakdowns in the process. ▪ Ability to create work/project management tools (work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, etc.) ▪ Plan and run basic projects using project management best practices; develops schedules and task/people assignments Risk Management ▪ Provides input to complex risk analyses and uses concepts in own work by considering appropriate mitigating and contingency actions proactively Supplier Performance Management ▪ Understands the principles of supplier relationship management but has limited commercial focus and awareness beyond the sourcing stage. ▪ Able to develop supplier performance management KPI tracking solutions Contract Writing and Management ▪ Has a basic understanding of contracting and its impact to business; can help solve problems or breakdowns in the process. ▪ Scopes standard work, performance criteria, guarantees, warranties and payment terms and conditions Spend Analysis ▪ Capable of developing detailed category spend analysis to the line level and using appropriate spend analysis tools. ▪ Able to provide ongoing category level spend monitoring analysis to understand off contract or rogue spend. Negotiation ▪ Support and participate in negotiations of contracts between $1 and 10 million with successful results (i.e. savings, diversity, value discovery) in driving the best total cost of ownership for the company ▪ Proficient ability to develop strategies and tactics for conflict resolution and to understand distributive, integrative bargaining techniques and familiarity with multiparty negotiations Strategic Sourcing ▪ Thorough understanding of strategic sourcing steps and processes (opportunity quantification, supplier selection, evaluation, negotiation, RFI/RFP); developing documents to support process, and ability to facilitate a team on developing Strategic Sourcing supporting documents Category Strategy Development and Management ▪ Fully understands, can articulate and enact the principles of a strategic category approach (inclusive of Strategic Sourcing, Change Management, Process Improvement, and Technology Enablement) Market Analysis ▪ Provide direction / oversee marketing research for a specific product, service or firm, and understand internal and external market forces ▪ Advanced ability to understand indices for certain product or service category, identify cost components and perform pricing analysis based on applicable market indices ▪ Directs SWOT analysis and risk analysis for public and private companies Procurement Process ▪ Proficient knowledge and application of applicable policies, processes, and procedures across the end-to-end procurement process ▪ Designs and coordinates procurement processes and ensures efficient utilization of resources across all activities ▪ Coordinates with appropriate stakeholders to develop project plans; works with others to manage vendor / contractor integration NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS:  Competency Description Business Acumen ▪ Has fair appreciation and insight into current business priorities and measurements ▪ Demonstrates a fair understanding of general business principles ▪ Demonstrates moderate levels of market awareness Drive and Initiative ▪ Sets challenging goals ▪ Sets a standard for quality and delivery that goes beyond that set by management; consistently completes objectives on time ▪ Generates many new and unique ideas; is seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings ▪ Searches for new and more effective methods, making connections between previously unrelated ideas Analytical Thinking ▪ Analyzes problems and challenges involving multiple interrelated causes; where necessary, gathers and reviews information over an extended period of time and applies complex concepts or methods to generate possible solutions ▪ Uses techniques such as fishbone analysis, data analysis and financial tools to identify cost drivers, interdependencies, and opportunities for savings and/or quality improvement; exercises a sophisticated understanding of the organization in conducting a deeper analysis Strategic Thinking and Alignment ▪ Recognizes strategic opportunities for change; leads the development and implementation of short-term plans and ensure alignment of activities and assignments across the category team ▪ Has a well-rounded perspective Change Agility ▪ Understands how changes in one area affect business in another. ▪ Is able to effectively support and manage complex or broad sweeping change efforts. Effective Communication ▪ Ability to actively listen and provide feedback to others when communicating with them (e.g. turn complaints into requests, avoids taking issues personally) ▪ Regularly provides input to internal communications/publications and is comfortable presenting information to all levels within Procurement Works Collaboratively ▪ Understands the dynamics of team building; actively works with team members to improve both team and individual success ▪ Shares wins and successes Thank you,