Specialist, Category

Company Overview

At Spire, we believe energy exists to help people. To enrich their lives, grow their businesses, advance their communities. It’s a simple idea, but one that’s at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to understanding the needs of the homes and businesses we serve. That's why we're always looking for driven, collaborative people to join our team. Because we believe that offering our customers the best service means bringing together the best people.

And we find the best by hiring those who share our values of drive, safety, inclusion and integrity, and demonstrate our four essential behaviors that bring the Spire vision, mission and culture to life:

• We make it happen: We are a company of go-getters, acting on every opportunity to help our company advance
• We collaborate: We put teamwork first, bringing in everyone’s ideas, because our collective energy makes us stronger
• We seek out perspective: We challenge ourselves to be open to different ways of doing things, because learning from each other leads to breakthroughs
• We care: We treat people how we want to be treated, listening closely and doing what’s right, even when it’s hard

By living our values and behaviors every day, we strive to create an environment where every employee feels welcome, respected and valued.

Summary

Spire is seeking a Category Specialist to work in the Saint Louis, MO operation, but is flexible to well qualified candidates in any company location.  This position will be responsible for assisting and participating in sourcing events by executing category strategies for goods and services that meet business requirements, helping to achieve lifecycle cost savings while maintaining a high degree of quality.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing for and participate in sourcing events for the business according to the annual sourcing plan and on an ad-hoc basis as required
• Participate in cross-functional category teams
• Partner with the business to obtain sourcing event input including specifications, supplier evaluation, negotiations, contract execution and supplier selection
• Utilize the Supply Chain formal sourcing process, document category analyses and strategies in the category workbook
• Analyze category spend, market data, and the supplier base, identify cost drivers, and help develop sourcing and negotiation strategies that ensure maximum quality, service and value added benefits are received from suppliers at the lowest cost of ownership to the Director of Strategic Procurement
• Utilize standard contract terms and conditions and work with Category Managers and Legal to help ensure contract documents are in compliance with company policy, laws and regulations
• Identify and assist Category Managers in driving continuous improvement performance jointly with the business and key suppliers, including standardization opportunities and rationalization of specifications
• Facilitate and coordinate supplier relationship – participate in key supplier performance evaluation and informal feedback sessions, compile supplier scorecards and performance to assist Category Managers in assuring suppliers are providing quality goods and services and adhering to contracted terms and conditions
• Support supplier diversity by incorporating diverse suppliers in sourcing events, contribute to departmental supplier diversity goals and metrics and participate in supplier diversity events
• Perform job duties in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley 404 internal controls
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-moving and changing culture
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build and establish rapport with a diverse array of people.
• All other duties as assigned.

Essential Characteristics and Competencies

Supervisory Responsibilities

Required Education (certifications, licenses)

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or related field or equivalent experience. 
• MBA desired

Required knowledge, skill and abilities

• Three+ years of experience in purchasing materials and services.
• Must have very strong analytical skills, strong negotiation and critical thinking skills
• Strong communication capabilities, with ability to be collaborative and influence a variety of employees, suppliers, and key decision makers and deliver results
• Ability to effectively participate in cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with ERP procurement systems desired; experience with Oracle EBS and/or SAP preferred
• Results-oriented, proactive and dynamic and drives with sense of urgency
• Certification from any of the following associations preferred: (1) Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, (2) APICS, (3) Institute of Supply Management/National Association of Purchasing Managers

Physical demands, environment and schedule

• Normal Work Environment – Work is normally performed in a shared office environment.
• Typically 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Overtime may be required.
• Requires approximately 10% up to 30% travel (changed to 30% from 75%)

Posting Requirements

Spire accepts online applications through our career site at jobs.spireenergy.com

Posting requirements: The above posting description is intended to describe the general nature of the level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Spire, Inc., and its subsidiaries are Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer. 

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all areas, including but not necessarily limited to, recruitment, selection, training, education, compensation, benefits, promotion, job transfer, upgrading, separation and recall regardless of the individual’s race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, and/or other protected categories under all Federal, State, and local laws. For more information, please view our Integrity and Inclusion pages of our career site.