Job Summary: Responsible for the overall relationship between the Field Partners and the Enterprise. The Procurement Specialist is responsible for all aspects of the Field Partner relationship, including performance training and coaching, negotiating, compliance verification, expanding services and dispute resolution. Ensure contract and governmental compliance for the entire Field Partner network including specialized certifications and/or licensures.  Work in partnership with the FPMG leadership group.

This position requires living in a state within the territory the role supports. 

Territory 2 (Midwest): Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virgina 

Territory 3 (North): Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin

Territory 6 (West): Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada 

Our Exceptional Benefits Plan includes:

• Supportive & Friendly Culture
• Manage national accounts for Fortune 500 companies
• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage options
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Company paid Life Insurance
• 401k with Employer Contribution
• Company paid Short/Long Term Disability
• Generous Paid Time Off program + Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Career Mapping
• Additional perks including Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Educational Assistance Program (Non-Union employees), Identity Theft Protection, Critical Illness Plans, Commuter Benefits and various employee discount offerings from our Vendors 
• Per diems available when traveling

Stratus is one of the nation’s largest brand implementation companies. We are made up of 1,100+ employees nationwide who roll up their sleeves, dive into the details and bring our clients’ brands to life! We deliver versatile solutions for some of the nation’s largest and most recognized brands. From exterior signage & interior branding to site refresh & remodel, from energy & lighting to repair & maintenance solutions, we deliver ideal solutions to meet all our client's branding needs.

• Manage all aspects of the Field Partner relationship not limited to:
  • Essentially act as the account manager for the existing and newly on boarded Field partners
  • Identify high-cost Field Partners and proactively negotiate to lower costs
  • Assist in training of team members as assigned
  • Conduct periodic FP performance reviews based on goals established by the department and need, to ensure their performance meets Stratus’s expectations.
  • Coach Field Partners as needed which may also include terminating the relationship with Stratus.
  • Communicate internal improvement opportunities and monitor progress as necessary.
  • Work with FP to determine if there is a need and a desire to expand existing services within their territory and beyond for existing and new scopes of work.
  • Collaborate with FPMG leadership team to analyze and review actual vs target costs.
• Expand and maintain the Preferred Field Partner network for all lines of business in defined Major Metropolitan Area (MMAs) based on enterprise goals.
• Work independently to manage and complete a queue of tasks generated by various business units within Stratus.
  • Prioritize tasks based on urgency/expected SLA
  • Provide continuous communication to your internal customers
  • Resolve tasks within SLAs set forth by the department Manager/Director
• Use critical thinking, creative problem solving, and negotiation skills to resolve Field Partner performance issues and disputes in a manner that is fair and equitable to all involved parties. Such interventions might include:
  • Job-related performance and communication issues, including workmanship or work delays
  • Issues obtaining paperwork or other documentation
  • Disputing invoices that exceed the limit of Stratus Purchase Order
  • Customer concerns or dissatisfaction.
• Perform routine vendor management tasks, including the following:
  • Collecting vendor paperwork
  • Updating vendor records
  • Onboarding and training

Skills 

• Decisiveness and confidence
• Ability to handle a high volume of urgent tasks simultaneously
• Meticulous organization skills
• A strong sense of customer service
• Highly driven and self-motivated
• A strong sense of ownership toward his or her work and toward the company as a whole
• Ability to act as a mediator and defuse contentious situations
• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor, even when contacting people with difficult personalities
• Ability to recognize opportunities to cut costs and improve performance
• A firm ethical foundation and a strong sense of fairness
• Adaptability to interact appropriately with various people and situations
• Ability to analyze data and trends of current performance and create appropriate corrective action plans
• Keen mechanical / technical aptitude
• Strongly oriented toward policy and procedure
• Mature, polished, and professional communication skills, whether in person, on the phone, or via email
• Ability to work independently and ask for guidance when needed
• Moderate software aptitude
  • Able to quickly learn new programs
  • Intermediate skills with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Education, experience, certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field is preferred
• 4+ years’ experience in a relatable industry is preferred
• Any experience working in one of the following environments is a plus:
  • The illuminated signage industry
  • The lighting industry
  • General or electrical contracting
  • Any job which involves daily interaction with subcontractors
  • Account management
  • Project management
  • Problem/dispute resolution (including a “customer complaint” department)
• A background in corrective action or quality control is a plus

Physical and mental demands

• Ability to work in a strict deadline driven environment
• Ability to have a large number of tasks “open” at any given time

Working Conditions 

• Prolonged hours in front of computer
• Travel up to 6 weeks per year
• Position may require working before or after regularly scheduled hours as business needs arise

eeo/mfdv