Senior Publishing Sourcing Specialist Job at Savvas Learning in Northbrook

Savvas Learning Company is a global education company that produces award-winning learning solutions that empower educators and engage students with the highest quality content.

Recognized as an industry leader, we serve millions of K-12 learners with innovative, student-centered educational programs that turn today's classrooms into active learning environments. By embracing technology, personalized learning, and immersive experiences delivered across multiple platforms, we design our learning solutions to be more accessible and relevant to each student.

Our comprehensive solutions for core curriculum, and supplemental and intervention programs - supported by an array of professional development services - allow teachers to use data to inform classroom practices and tailor instructions to an individual's abilities and learning styles.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Sourcing, the Senior Publishing Sourcing Specialist supports vendor selection, sourcing, and procurement of product development services across the business functions of the company. The support includes vendor identification, identification / research of benchmark pricing to support budget planning, competitive bidding, bid analysis, assignment recommendations, and contract management. Additionally, the Senior Publishing Sourcing Specialist negotiates vendor pricing, terms and conditions, provides input on strategic initiatives, and supports the achievement and tracking of savings targets.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Pipeline Management

Actively manages projects identified and brought forth across the business categories.

Facilitates Dashboard / Pipeline meetings with business categories.

Prioritizes effort and works collaboratively and timely with business to meet project timelines.

Manages the timely completion of internal approvals and provides status to the business teams regarding projects.

Suggests cadence for upcoming projects to meet interim steps such as competitive bidding, definition of requirements, negotiation, and vendor adds / set up.

Vendor Engagement

Provide vendor recommendations to the business categories during planning stages.

Lead formal RFI (Request for Information) and RFP (Request for Proposal) requests as required by the business.

Facilitate DoS (Description of Service) in collaboration with the business

Facilitates the creation of the SOW (Statement of Work), payment schedules, contracts, and POs.

Facilitate and analyze vendor proposals and bids with the business

Collaborate with the business to validate assumptions and costs for Change Requests.

Maintain awareness of current Savvas suppliers and identify new suppliers as needed to support identified business needs.

Negotiation

Oversees competitive bidding, uses effective negotiation and accurate analysis of effort

Supports project teams and vendors in final project reconciliation

Actively identifies savings opportunities and strategies

Negotiates aggressively but fairly with vendors on behalf of business teams

Provides timely and accurate estimates to Finance and the business as requested

Provides timely and accurate forecast data to Finance as requested

Collaborates with business partners and Legal for final contracting.

Other

This position is responsible for supporting the sourcing requirements of the company excluding Technology Development and Indirect sourcing categories.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Related work experience

5-7 years of experience in Editorial, Content, Sourcing, Procurement and / or Project Management capacity.

Knowledge of business functions and vendor management required.

Experience in managing multiple, complex, and data-rich projects under tight timeframes.

Knowledge of budgeting and cost accounting is preferred.

BA or BS, preferably in business, communication arts, or other technical functional areas.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES

Excellent project management skills; excellent communication and advocacy skills, strong attention to detail and organization, demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and relationships, understanding of budgets, demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, in-depth knowledge of project set-up process and vendor negotiation, demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others, good personnel management skills with ability to collaborate with peers and vendors both onsite and remotely, strong business planning skills.

Savvas Learning Company provides access to a benefits experience created to offer our employees choice, flexibility, and the opportunity to save money for the future. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, tax-advantaged accounts, pharmacy, life insurance, disability insurance, matching 401(k), and paid time off. Our benefits are part of a total package that is carefully designed to support the total well-being of our employees.

Savvas Learning Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Savvas Learning complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Savvas prohibits discrimination against individuals based on race, color, region, national origin, sex, age, disability, and other protected group status. We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.

Savvas Learning is an affirmative action employer and participate in E-Verify. E-Verify Know Your Rights

Notice to California applicants : Information collected and processed as part of your Savvas Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Savvas' California Applicant Privacy Notice."