Western Governors University

Senior Sourcing Specialist

Western Governors University$100K — $150K *
Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 6 years of procurement or other supply chain experience
  • Strong knowledge of procurement principles and sourcing best practices
  • Experience in competitive bidding processes and contract negotiation
  • Background in managing purchasing categories such as meetings and travel
  • Advanced skills in cost and pricing analysis
  • Proven negotiation skills and ability to influence outcomes

Responsibilities

  • Lead strategic sourcing events across various categories
  • Conduct competitive bidding and evaluate vendor proposals
  • Negotiate contracts and terms for optimal value
  • Partner with finance, legal, and stakeholders to implement contracts
  • Develop specifications and sourcing strategies for external audiences
  • Monitor market trends to inform pricing and forecasting
  • Manage purchase orders and procurement systems

Benefits

  • Bonuses
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health savings and flexible spending accounts
  • Basic and voluntary life insurance
  • Disability and supplemental coverage options
  • Legal and identity theft coverage
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Wellbeing programs
  • Discounted WGU tuition
  • Flexible paid time off and sick time
  • 11 paid holidays and parental leave
Full Job Description
Job Description

As a Senior Sourcing Specialist at WGU, you will play a critical role in ensuring the organization acquires the goods and services needed to support its mission efficiently and effectively. You will lead complex sourcing initiatives, influence strategic purchasing decisions, and partner cross-functionally to deliver value through thoughtful negotiation and market insight. This role is ideal for a sourcing professional who combines strong procurement expertise with specialized knowledge of meetings, events, and travel categories to deliver value, optimize supplier relationships, and support organizational objectives.

What You'll Do
  • Lead strategic sourcing events across a variety of categories, including highly technical commodities and services
  • Conduct competitive bidding processes and evaluate vendor proposals to identify best-fit solutions
  • Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms to secure optimal value and service outcomes
  • Partner with finance, legal, and internal stakeholders to execute and implement contracts
  • Develop and refine specifications, statements of work, and sourcing strategies for external audiences
  • Monitor market trends and pricing conditions to ensure competitiveness and inform forecasting
  • Manage purchase orders, requisitions, and procurement systems to support efficient operations

What You'll Bring

What's Required
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 6 years of procurement or other supply chain experience

Core Capabilities
  • Strong knowledge of procurement principles, ethics, and sourcing best practices
  • Experience with purchase orders, contracts, and competitive bidding processes
  • Experience working with purchasing categories including meetings and travel
  • Advanced skills in cost and pricing analysis
  • Proven negotiation skills with the ability to influence business outcomes
  • Ability to develop sourcing strategies, SLAs, and KPIs
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to quickly learn new technologies

Bonus Points
  • Master's Degree
  • CPSM or related procurement certification
  • Experience with category management and leading complex, cross-functional sourcing initiatives

Experience in Lieu of Education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this role may substitute for educational requirements. Generally, one year of relevant experience is considered equivalent to one year of education, at the discretion of the hiring manager.

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.
We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.
  • Introductory call
  • Hiring manager interview onsite
  • Director interview

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Raleigh, NC office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The university was founded by 19 U.S. governors in 1997 with a mission to expand access to higher education. WGU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, and healthcare. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has been recognized by the White House as an example of excellence in education innovation. WGU has a competency-based learning model, which allows students to progress through their coursework at their own pace based on their mastery of the material.
Learn more about Western Governors University
Size
5,000 employees
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