Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Kansas; Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Fertility/adoption assistance

Caregiver leave

401(k) matching

Health & fitness benefits

Job summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to lead the procurement lifecycle, including RFx events, bids, and vendor contract management. You will collaborate with requestors to define specifications, evaluate suppliers, and negotiate terms to ensure best value and on-time delivery across IT services, infrastructure, and indirect spend.

You will work with cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment, manage supplier relationships, monitor performance, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; in lieu of degree, 3 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum 1 year in procurement, vendor management, or supply chain management with strategic sourcing involvement.
• Experience with IT procurement preferred and lean process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Generate and implement sourcing strategies through RFx processes.
• Prepare and manage competitive bids including price analysis and terms negotiation.
• Develop and negotiate contracts with new suppliers and renegotiate existing ones.
• Maintain strategic sourcing relationships and supplier partnerships.
• Generate value estimates and expenditure forecasts for procurement.
• Evaluate and streamline sourcing procedures; present improvement plans to leadership.
• Drive strategic sourcing goals and actions to meet objectives.
• Develop cost-structure improvement strategies and optimize external spending.
• Ensure early involvement with stakeholders to optimize procurement.
• Negotiate terms and manage vendor relationships across IT services/infrastructure.
• Assess supplier core competencies and support cross-functional agreements.
• Analyze industry trends to identify risks and opportunities; minimize disruptions.
• Manage PO administration and supplier onboarding through contract closure.

Skills

RFx events

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Supplier relationships

Data analysis

Technology adoption

Procurement policy

Contract negotiation

CLM systems

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Experience in lieu of degree

Tools

CLM systems

Procurement software

RFx management tools

Job description

• Make a Positive Impact: Your work will directly contribute to the health and well-being of Kansans.
• Family Comes First: Total rewards package that promotes the idea of family first for all employees. Paid vacation and sick leave with paid maternity and paternity available immediately upon hire
• Professional Growth Opportunities: Advance your career with ongoing training and development programs.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Collaborate with a team of passionate and driven individuals in a work environment that promotes flexibility.
• Trust and Stability: Work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas with over 80 years of commitment, compassion and community.
• Inclusive Work Environment: We pride ourselves on fostering a workplace where everyone is valued and respected.
• Base compensation is only one component of your competitive Total Rewards package
• Incentive pay program (EPIP)
• 6 weeks paid parental leave for new mothers and fathers
• Fertility/Adoption assistance
• 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
• 401(k) plan matching up to 5%
• Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources

Job Summary

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will play a key role in driving the efficient acquisition of goods and services across the organization, focusing on delivering the best value solutions. This position involves overseeing the entire sourcing lifecycle, from understanding business needs to conducting RF(x) events, negotiating & drafting contracts, and managing the source-to-pay process. The specialist will participate in supplier selection activities, including competitive bids, establishing contracts, and handling contract administration and reporting, working closely with requestors to develop specifications, prepare bid documents, and evaluate and select suppliers to ensure the best value solutions, while also ensuring adequate capacity, on-time delivery, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Additionally, the Strategic Sourcing Specialist will collaborate with business areas to manage and oversee all supplier contracts and relationships, ensuring compliance with both contractual and regulatory requirements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and suppliers will be essential to develop sourcing strategies, optimize vendor relationships, and achieve key operational objectives. A strong focus on meeting deadlines, managing risks, and applying procurement best practices will be critical to delivering value and driving cost savings. Strong proactive communication, negotiation, adaptability, prioritization, and planning skills are essential to succeed in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly visible environment.

Work Location:

This position is eligible to work remotely, hybrid or onsite in accordance with our Telecommuting Policy. Applicants must reside in Kansas or Missouri or be willing to relocate as a condition of employment.

What you'll do

• Generate and implement efficient sourcing strategies through the RFx process.
• Prepare and manage competitive bids (RFQ, RFP, etc.), including document preparation, proposal review, price analysis, negotiation of price and contract terms, scope review, and recommending selected bidders.
• Develop and negotiate contracts with new suppliers and renegotiate existing contracts to achieve the best value solutions and savings objectives.
• Maintain strategic sourcing relationships and foster the development of strong supplier partnerships.
• Generate total value estimates and expenditure forecasts related to procurement.
• Evaluate and streamline sourcing procedures, present improvement strategies to leadership, and implement solutions for continuous enhancement.
• Drive the success of strategic sourcing goals and implement action items to ensure those objectives are met.
• Develop strategies to improve the organization's cost structure.
• Optimize external spending through early involvement in the sourcing lifecycle and collaboration with business stakeholders.
• Demonstrate strong business judgment, integrity, financial acumen, and sourcing expertise.
• Negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships, focusing on key areas such as IT services, IT infrastructure, and indirect spend.
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning, working with cross-functional stakeholders to reach agreements on contract terms and conditions.
• Analyze industry trends and emerging technologies to proactively identify risks and opportunities, minimizing supply chain disruptions and ensuring continuity of supply.
• Manage all aspects of purchase order administration, including submitting notices, change orders, new supplier onboarding, and closing out contracts.

What you’ll need

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field preferred
• In lieu of degree, an additional 3 years of relevant experience required

Experience

• Minimum 1 years' experience in procurement, vendor management, and/or supply chain management, with direct involvement in strategic sourcing management required
• Previous experience in project management and process improvement preferred
• Previous experience with IT procurement preferred
• Previous experience identifying and implementing lean principles into workflows preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity preferred
• Certified Professional in Supply Management preferred

Travel

• No travel

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skilled in conducting RFx events (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs), including preparation, supplier evaluation, and selection.
• Able to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proven ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels to drive successful outcomes.
• Skilled in building and maintaining effective relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and vendors.
• Proficient in researching, analyzing data, and presenting findings clearly for decision-making.
• Quick to adapt to new technologies and tools, improving procurement efficiency.
• Strong understanding of procurement policies, procedures, and supplier management to ensure compliance.
• Capable of interpreting and negotiating contract terms, including redlining to protect the organization's interests.
• Experienced with sourcing and procurement tools, including contract lifecycle management systems.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to resolve conflicts for mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Able to lead projects independently and in cross-functional teams to ensure success.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for effective supplier and team engagement.
• Ability to analyze data and use insights to make informed decisions that support organizational goals.

Compensation

$73,920 - $92,400

Exempt Grade 15

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas offers excellent competitive compensation with the goal of retaining and growing talented team members. The compensation range for this role is a good faith estimate, it is estimated based on what a successful candidate might be paid. All offers presented to candidates are carefully reviewed to ensure fair, equitable pay by offering competitive wages that align with the individual's skills, education, experience, and training. The range may vary above or below the stated amounts.

Our Commitment to Connection and Belonging

• At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, we are committed to fostering a culture of connection and belonging, where mutual respect is at the foundation of our workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, belief, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military or veteran status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.