Commodity Analyst

(Reference code: 000417) Status: Full Time, Employee Location: Northbrook, IL 60062 Job Category: Accounting/Finance/Insurance Career Level:Experienced (Non-Manager) Education Level: Bachelor's Degree Job Description: The Allstate Corporation is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. A Fortune 100 company, with $156 billion in assets, Allstate sells 13 major lines of insurance, including auto, property, life and commercial. Allstate also offers retirement and investment products and banking services. Allstate is widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan. Allstate was founded in 1931 and became a publicly traded company in 1993.The Sourcing and Procurement Solutions department initiates/coordinates the efforts of employees, buy teams and advisory boards to strategically source one or more related commodities or spend categories. This includes formulating policies and procedures which govern the internal usage of these spend categories. Procurement evaluates the research, analysis, and needs assessment to obtain necessary goods or services at a low cost, while meeting pre-established service and performance standards. This position is in the Procurement, Training & Technology Team that supports the technology utilized for the sourcing and procurement of goods and services for the Enterprise.This Team resides in the Sourcing and Procurement Solutions (SPS) Department. The Commodity Analyst is accountable for supporting SPS on all of its technology needs,  Examples include SAP, Business Warehouse, Emptoris (contract database), the electronic auction tool and Austin Tetra (supplier registration).The Commodity Analyst will be responsible for spend analysis, contract database technology and the support of an eProcurement organization.Additionally, this position will interact with SPS employees, technology and suppliers.The Commodity Analyst will be one of the "go to person" for all areas of technology support including Business Warehouse and Emptoris.  This position will report to the Strategic Sourcing Manager.Required Skills: (skills individual must bring to the job) and skill levels required:- Beginner (has general understanding/knowledge)- Intermediate (has good working knowledge/understanding)- Advanced (is considered an expert)  The skills required are: Beginning to intermediate financial and analytical skills to provide spending analysis.  The ability to query data in SAP or Business Warehouse and analyze utilizing Excel or Access.  Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills,  in order to effectively build relationships with internal and external clients, present business recommendations, and communicate complex analysis. Candidates must be capable of balancing multiple projects.The position requires strong communication and listening skills and the ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization. Good organizational skills to prioritize and balance multiple projects and coordinate project timelines to ensure timely completion with minimal supervision. Intermediate - Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.  The Enterprise uses SAP and  Business Warehouse.  Access skills a plus.  Experience Required: (type of experience and number of years required) 1 to 3 years experience Prior experience or internship in a purchasing/procurement department a plus Excellent written/verbal communications and interpersonal skills, in order to build relationships, interact effectively with internal and external contacts, and to present business recommendations and solutions Proven organizational skills in order to prioritize and balance multiple projects and coordinate project timelines to ensure timely completion with minimal supervision Acumen in the area of technology; strong interest in software and systems Demonstrated judgment and problem solving skills. Detail orientedComputer Proficiency:Technology acumen.  Proficient with Microsoft suite of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).SAP, Access and Business Warehouse skills a plus. Education:College degree required.Major preference:Undergraduate degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or similar concentration.