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

West Virginia University is hiring a Hybrid Category Analyst for Procurement, Contracting & Payment Services. The role involves supporting strategic sourcing in the IT sector, conducting market research, and managing supplier relationships. Key responsibilities include preparing business cases, analyzing operational data, writing commercial documents, and developing negotiation strategies. The analyst will collaborate with the Category Manager and oversee supplier performance while identifying opportunities for process improvements.
About the position

The Procurement, Contracting and Payment Services unit at West Virginia University is currently seeking a Category Analyst to join their team. This position plays a crucial role in supporting the development of strategic sourcing category and commodity strategies, particularly in the IT sector. The Category Analyst will assist in executing these strategies and ensuring that the assigned commodities are effectively managed to meet stakeholder and supplier requests. The role requires a collaborative approach, as the analyst will work closely with the Category Manager responsible for IT and other categories to maximize the value derived from assigned spend categories. In addition to strategic sourcing, the Category Analyst will conduct thorough research on market trends within assigned category areas and perform supplier market analysis to understand the supplier base, trends, and potential new technologies. The analyst will also identify opportunities for process improvements in sourcing and procurement, applying best practices in strategic sourcing. Responsibilities include preparing business cases, conducting cost/benefit analyses, and documenting operational and financial data related to categories and commodities. The role also involves writing and editing commercial documents such as RFPs, RFQs, and contracts, as well as coordinating the legal review and approval process for procurement contracts. The Category Analyst will develop negotiation strategies and assist in negotiations to secure favorable terms with suppliers. Additionally, the analyst will oversee supplier management programs, attend supplier performance reviews, and lead efforts to create service level agreements (SLAs) with preferred suppliers. Monitoring supplier performance and compliance, identifying performance issues, and managing a broader group of supplier contracts are also key responsibilities of this position.

Responsibilities
• Support strategic sourcing efforts for predominantly IT related category/commodity areas.
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• Assist in sourcing efforts beginning with spend analysis through contract execution.
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• Conduct research on market trends in assigned category areas as requested.
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• Conduct supplier market analysis to understand supplier base, trends, and potential new technologies.
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• Identify and support sourcing and procurement process improvement efforts.
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• Correctly apply Strategic Sourcing best practice processes.
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• Assess opportunities and assist Category Manager in category/commodity strategies.
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• Prepare business case, cost/benefit, and benefit realization analyses.
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• Analyze, document, and create category and commodity operational/financial data.
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• Write and edit commercial documents (RFPs, RFBs, RFQs, Contracts, Terms & Conditions, etc.).
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• Coordinate legal review/approval process for procurement/sourcing contracts and agreements.
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• Develop negotiation strategies and assist in negotiations to obtain favorable terms with suppliers.
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• Support supplier evaluation and selection process.
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• Oversee supplier management program for assigned categories/commodities.
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• Attend and assist in supplier performance reviews.
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• Lead efforts to create SLAs with preferred suppliers/stakeholders.
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• Audit contract pricing and address unfavorable variances.
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• Monitor and measure supplier performance and compliance; recommend ways to resolve performance issues.

Requirements
• Experience in strategic sourcing and procurement processes.
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• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze financial and operational data.
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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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• Ability to develop negotiation strategies and conduct negotiations effectively.
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• Experience in supplier management and performance evaluation.
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• Knowledge of market trends and supplier analysis in IT categories.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with contract management and legal review processes.
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• Familiarity with IT procurement and sourcing best practices.
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• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Benefits
• 37.5-hour work week
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• 13 paid holidays
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• 24 annual leave days per year
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• 18 sick days per year
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• Health insurance options
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• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match
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• Wellness programs