(Hybrid) Category Analyst - Procurement, Contracting & Payment Services

The department of Procurement, Contracting and Payment Services at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Category Analyst.

About the Opportunity

The primary roles of the Category Analyst include supporting development of strategic sourcing category/ commodity strategies, assisting in execution against those strategies, and ensuring that assigned commodities are properly managed and support stakeholder/ supplier requests. Analyst will effectively partner with a Category Manager to ensure that the greatest value is realized for assigned spend categories. Provides other duties and functions as assigned or required.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Support strategic sourcing efforts for any assigned category / commodity areas:

• Assists in sourcing efforts beginning with spend analysis through contract execution
  
• Conducts research as requested on market trends in assigned category areas
  
• Conducts supplier market analysis as needed to understand supplier base, supplier trends, and potential new technologies and new entrants
  
• Identifies and supports sourcing and procurement process improvement efforts
  
• Correctly applies Strategic Sourcing best practice processes
  
• Assess opportunities, sets and assists Category Manager in category/ commodity strategies
  
• Prepare business case, cost/benefit and benefit realization analyses
  
• Analyzes, documents and creates category and commodity operational/financial data
  
• Writes and edits commercial documents (RFPs, RFBs, RFQs, Contracts, Terms & Conditions, etc.)
  
• Coordinates legal review / approval process for procurement / sourcing contracts and agreements
  
• Develops negotiation strategies and assists in negotiations to obtain most favorable terms with suppliers
  
• Supports supplier evaluation and selection process

Assist with Development and execution of supplier management strategy and program:

• Oversees supplier management program for assigned categories / commodities
  
• Attends / assists in supplier performance reviews
  
• Leads and assists in efforts to create SLA ' s with preferred supplier/stakeholder
  
• Audits contract pricing and address unfavorable variances
  
• Identifies and leads process/ continuous improvement efforts
  
• Monitors and measures supplier performance and compliance; identifies and recommends ways to resolve performance issues
  
• Manages broader group of supplier contracts
  
• Supports Procurement & Sourcing integration efforts in instances of Vendor M&A
  
• Uses appropriate technology tools to continually measure savings, performance and internal levels of service
  
• Monitors supplier contract expiration dates
  
• Support contract renewals as appropriate in coordination with Category Manager(s)

Manage procurement operational support

• Leads and encourages cross-business unit collaboration through sourcing and supplier management teams
  
• Facilitates stakeholder meetings to assess needs and identify issues/documents issues
  
• Recognizes, documents and accurately resolves sourcing and procurement related operational issues (invoice allocation, vendor payment issues, etc.)
  
• Supports Freedom of Information Act and other requests related to assigned categories and suppliers
  
• Solicits feedback and incorporates improvements to category, supplier management programs
  
• Identifies and implements operational process improvements and cost savings by working with stakeholders and suppliers to understand key value and cost drivers of relevant operations and categories
  
• Uses understanding and expands knowledge of supply market or ability to analyze supply market including raw material trends and cost drivers
  
• Builds/maintains positive business relationships with category/commodity stakeholders and routinely works with mid and upper-level management
• Oversees or assists with strategic planning (potential projects, process, procedural, policy changes, team directives & initiative)
  
• Performance of all required position functions in a remote/hybrid atmosphere
  
• Performs other functions as assigned or required to meet the needs of the University

• Bachelors’ degree in Finance, Global Supply Chain Management, Economics, or similar related field
• A minimum of six (6) months of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related field of expertise is preferred.
• Familiarity with solicitation and contract development, interpretation, and administration.
  
• Effectively manage multiple and competing priorities, and strong organizational skills.
  
• Ability to be creative, innovative and solve complex issues.
  
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and present ideas clearly and concisely.
  
• Ability to understand, adhere to, and ensure correct application of University’s supplier diversity program requirements.
  
• Understands and correctly applies total cost of ownership (TCO) principles.
  
• Knowledge of Procure to Pay (P2P) processes.
  
• Can apply knowledge of demand management to assist Stakeholder(s) with understanding price trends and to negotiate pricing with
• Vendors when appropriate. and written communication skills.
  
• Work ethic necessary to perform in a remote/hybrid environment.

• ISM certification would be beneficial

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.
From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.
Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU’s academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.