Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Houston Corporate

ROLE: Strategic Sourcing Specialist

REPORTS TO: VP, Procurement

LOCATION: Houston Corporate Office (4 days/week in the office)

We are a rapidly growing developer, owner, and operator of multifamily apartments with approximately 90 mixed-use and multifamily communities across 19 major US cities. We're honored that over 42,000 people and more than 18,000 pets call Venterra "home"! We're focused on achieving excellence in serving our three major stakeholders: residents, employees, and investors.

We've enjoyed tremendous growth and financial success over our 23-year history, with approximately $5.5 billion USD of assets, total annual revenues approaching $500 million USD, and a lifetime IRR of 18.5% which we achieve with the commitment and dedication of approximately 900 team members.

Find out more about Venterra Realty and our award-winning company culture at Venterra.com.

We're honored to have received numerous workplace recognitions including being named one of the 2024 FORTUNE Best Medium Workplaces, one of People Magazine's 2024 PEOPLE Companies that Care, one of the 2023 Best Workplaces in Real Estate, and to have been named a five-time Glassdoor Best Places to Work winner! Read about all our awards and accolades here!

We are looking for people who:

• Have strong personal values and want to work for a values-based company

• Are ambitious and hard working with exceptionally high personal standards

• Embrace problem-solving and learning new skills

• Thrive in a rapidly changing and high growth environment

• Are passionate about driving continuous improvements and the use of technology with data to drive business results

• Have a proven history of critical thinking and the ability to self educate

• Are willing to be on-site and perform in-person testing of new concepts

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies to optimize supplier relationships, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify sourcing opportunities, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures. This role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record of driving results in a fast-paced environment.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies to achieve cost savings and improve supplier performance.

• Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess market trends, and evaluate supplier capabilities.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and requirements, and develop sourcing plans accordingly.

• Lead supplier negotiations to secure favorable contract terms, including pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements.

• Evaluate supplier performance against key metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiencies.

• Manage supplier relationships, including conducting regular performance reviews, resolving issues, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements throughout the sourcing process.

• Monitor market conditions and industry trends to proactively identify risks and opportunities, and adjust sourcing strategies as needed.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including accounts payable, finance and operations teams.

• Provide regular updates and reports on sourcing activities, performance metrics, and cost savings achievements to senior management.

• Provide analytical support for sourcing decisions, including spend analysis, supplier performance evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements throughout the sourcing process.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams and interact with internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management roles.

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful sourcing strategies to achieve cost savings and improve supplier performance.

• Strong negotiation skills and experience in contract management and supplier relationship management.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven decisions.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, vlookup, data analysis) is required.

• Experience with procurement software tools such as Coupa and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is a plus.

• Occasional travel to Canada, property locations, supplier sites or industry events may be required.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Base Salary and performance bonus

• A robust package of Health (Medical (PPO), Dental, Vision), 401k matching, paid vacation suite benefits and employer-paid Short & Long-Term Disability, among other things

• Educational Assistance / Reimbursement to support your drive to learn

• Opportunity for career advancement across various divisions and departments within the corporate office

• Better Living programs where you are incentivized to reach personal goals or participate in company-wide challenges

• Quarterly Lifelong Learning Challenges to support your professional growth in ways that are meaningful to you

• 8 paid hours per year of Volunteer Time Off to serve the organization(s) of your choice

• Free enrollment into the Dave Ramsey SmartDollar financial wellness program, including the EveryDollar budgeting app

• Access to thousands of employee discounts with BenefitHub

Venterra Realty is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all stages of the selection process.

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