Strategic Sourcing Analyst jobs
Driving down costs of procurement will always be a key part of increasing profits, and long-term solutions need to be found to making it happen. The strategic sourcing analyst will usually be employed by larger companies with multimillion pound turnovers and a wealth of data to draw on. At this scale, seemingly tiny changes in sourcing strategy can be converted into hundreds of thousands in savings once implemented.
The role will involve a good deal of data analysis, with the analyst looking deeply into every aspect of the company’s sourcing and identifying savings or flagging up areas where there is the potential for saving, for example renegotiating contracts with certain suppliers or seeking the change suppliers. The successful strategic sourcing analyst will be a creative thinker who can come up with non-direct ways of making savings.
Because strategic sourcing takes place over the longer term, short-term gains might often prove not to be economically optimal, for example if they tie the client into contracts that could have been negotiated more advantageously if a guarantee of future custom could have been written in.
The analyst will also have to present his or her conclusions and recommendations to the board in order for them to be made company policy. There will then follow a stage of follow-up analysis to check the performance of the changes.
The skills required
A good head for figures will be a key requirement for this role. It’s possible that several strands of negotiations could be going on simultaneously, with an optimum solution being concealed within them. Someone mathematically astute enough to have an instinct for finding the best deals and having their suspicions backed up by computerised analysis could be the ideal candidate, although such people could be few and far between!
Much of the work will involve meeting with other departments of the company and also with suppliers and those tendering for supply contracts, so someone who is at ease talking business and negotiating on the company’s behalf will be well suited to the role.
Needless to say, this will require superb communication skills, and an ability to think on one’s feet whilst being armed with a thorough knowledge of the employer’s strategic aims.
Strategic Sourcing Analyst Jobs in the South East
As the most populous region of England, the South East stretches from Oxford to Southampton and from Reading to Dover, comprising some parts of the Greater London Urban Area and a number of the Home Counties, such as Buckinghamshire , Kent and Surrey.
The largest city in the in the South East is Brighton and Hove, while towns like Chatham, Gillingham and Strood make up the Medway conurbation, which has a similar population.
Over the years, the area has been an important part of the UK's economy and has been a centre for innovation - from the Enigma machine and Alan Turing's breakthroughs in computer technology, through to the development of Britain's space programme at Westcott.
Those looking for Strategic Sourcing Analyst jobs in the South East will have a range of options to consider, as the region is home to a number of large companies specialising in everything from car manufacture to pharmaceuticals, food and beverages to petrochemicals and packaging to retail.
The main branch of Amazon.co.uk is based in Slough, while other top-name brands in the South East include PepsiCo, Harley-Davidson UK, Vodafone, Hovis, Ben & Jerry's, Blackberry, Panasonic UK, HP UK, Virgin Media and ExxonMobil UK.
Of course, transport is also a major part of the South East's economy, with Gatwick Airport, South Eastern Rail and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the Port of Dover all important elements.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK is growing in the UK logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment industry, partly because these are the only sectors we deal with. People approach us for many reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide.
Our founder members and consultants all come from these sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. As we only deal with these fields, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them.
Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the ideal position for you.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Strategic Sourcing Analyst for your business or find you a job as a Strategic Sourcing Analyst then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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