Vendor Management & Purchasing Specialist

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.; Merrill (WI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. in Merrill, WI seeks a procurement professional for a hybrid role requiring in-office days Tuesday through Thursday at Merrill (preferred) or Milwaukee or Madison.

You will act as a liaison between procurement and business units for vendor management, onboarding, and purchasing responsibilities. On a daily basis you will evaluate vendor contracts, drive cost savings, monitor performance and compliance, manage supplier data, and support procurement systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years’ experience in purchasing or vendor management.
• Bachelor's degree required; equivalent combination considered.
• Experience with procurement systems and purchase order workflows.
• Experience with Unit4 is preferred.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate vendor onboarding for assigned business units using the vendor management system.
• Evaluate vendor contracts terms, make recommendations, and review for savings potential.
• Facilitate the resolution of contract terms between the vendor, legal department, and the business unit.
• Follow-up with vendors to ensure documentation is received to complete the vendor onboarding process.
• Ensure vendor performance and compliance is evaluated in advance of contract renewal for assigned business units.
• Initiate the purchase of goods and services from vendors.
• Research alternative vendors, products, or services to drive organizational savings.
• Facilitate the process of obtaining required documentation to initiate vendor payment. Review for goods or services delivered but not receipted in the procurement system.
• Assist with creating and administering supplier request for proposals (RFPs).
• Complete the reconciliation of corporate purchasing card transactions and Amazon account purchases and provide supporting documentation to Accounting, including general ledger coding for G/L upload.
• Support and administer procurement systems, including purchase order management, vendor onboarding, supplier data maintenance, reporting, and user support.
• Assist employees with procurement processes, roles, and responsibilities.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Procurement process

Supplier data management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Unit4

Procurement systems

Purchase order software

MS Excel

Job description

This is a HYBRID position that requires in office days Tuesday-Thursday to be based at one of our office locations below:

• Merrill, WI (preferred location)
• Milwaukee, WI
• Madison, WI

What You’ll Be Doing

Act as a liaison between the procurement department and business units for vendor management and purchasing responsibilities. Facilitate the vendor onboarding process, including the evaluation and approval workflow of vendor contracts. Track and evaluate vendor performance and compliance. Procure goods and services from vendors at the best possible price and level of service. Research alternative vendors and products. Serve as a subject matter expert for procurement owned systems and processes.

On Any Given Day, You’ll

• Facilitate the vendor onboarding process for assigned business units using the vendor management system.
• Evaluate vendor contracts terms, make recommendations, and review for savings potential.
• Facilitate the resolution of contract terms between the vendor, legal department, and the business unit.
• Follow-up with vendors to ensure documentation is received to complete the vendor onboarding process.
• Ensure vendor performance and compliance is evaluated in advance of contract renewal for assigned business units.
• Initiate the purchase of goods and services from vendors.
• Research alternative vendors, products, or services to drive organizational savings.
• Facilitate the process of obtaining required documentation to initiate vendor payment. Review for goods or services delivered but not receipted in the procurement system.
• Assist with creating and administering supplier request for proposals (RFPs).
• Complete the reconciliation of corporate purchasing card transactions and Amazon account purchases and provide supporting documentation to Accounting, including general ledger coding for G/L upload.
• Support and administer procurement systems, including purchase order management, vendor onboarding, supplier data maintenance, reporting, and user support.
• Assist employees with procurement processes, roles, and responsibilities.

Here’s What We Expect

• Minimum of three years’ experience in purchasing or working with vendors is required.
• Prior experience in the insurance industry is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting procurement technology, purchase order workflows, invoice matching, receiving processes, and supplier data management is preferred.
• Experience utilizing procurement and purchase order systems is required; experience with Unit4 is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree is required. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with internal and external customers.
• Ability to investigate and resolve issues.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Ability to use good judgment and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to interact with multiple departments and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and meet necessary deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel capabilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent changes.
• Ability to collaborate with all team members.
• Ability to treat others with dignity and respect.
• Ability to influence, negotiate, collaborate, and achieve consensus key stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively and cultivate strong relationships across all levels of the organization and with external parties.
• Significant experience collaborating across organizational boundaries and building partnerships across various functions.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment and meet necessary deadlines.

Church Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Exact compensation will vary based on consideration of a variety of factors including education, skills, experience, and location.