Senior Commodity Manager

(Reference code: 0004XB) Status: Full Time, Employee Location: Northbrook, IL 60062 Job Category: Accounting/Finance/Insurance Career Level:Manager (Manager/Supervisor of Staff) Education Level: Master'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 professional services 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 for the Technology & Operations Services Team that provides recommendations to the Enterprise for software and IT consulting sourcing opportunities.A Senior Commodity Manager is expected to formulate policies and procedures which govern the internal usage of software and IT consulting services.  This position will source needed services at a competitive cost while meeting pre-established service levels.  They will conduct vendor selection, negotiations, contract execution and monitor supplier performance on an ongoing basis.  This position requires the ability to write complex requests for information, quotation, and/or proposals.  Additionally, this position will interact with business process owners, Legal, financial analysts, SPS employees, and Third Party Vendors.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 1.  Intermediate to advanced negotiation and contracting skills.  Ability to handle complex negotiations and contract terms specific to Technology & Operations Services, while effectively working with Legal and the internal client across a variety of commodities.   2. Ability to write complex Requests for Proposal (RFP) working with internal business clients to develop scope and project requirements.  Support a client facing environment by being available on site to interact daily with the client.  Ability to create and implement complex scoring models in order to evaluate proposals from suppliers.  Assist in implementing selected supplier.   3. Strong leadership skills demonstrated by the ability to lead complex sourcing initiatives, assist in developing junior employees, being an ambassador of SPS, and building and maintaining a strong internal network.  Interact with senior management.  Provide strong leadership while thinking strategically in order to influence actions, mediate decisions, and select suppliers.4. Intermediate to advanced financial and analytical skills to provide Business Case Development, track results and perform financial analysis reporting.Ability to analyze utilizing Excel.  Perform trend analysis, forecasting and modeling in order to provide recommendations. 5.   Strong written and verbal communications skills, as well as interpersonal skills, in order to effectively build relationships with internal and external clients, present business recommendations, think strategically, and communicate complex analysis. Candidates must be capable of balancing multiple projects. The position requires strong communication and listening skill and ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization.  This position will frequently interact directly with senior management across the enterprise requiring a high level of responsiveness, customer focus, and attention to details. 6. Excellent organizational skills to prioritize and balance multiple projects and coordinate project timelines to ensure timely completion with minimal supervision. 7.  Seeking self-directed and motivated individual with intermediate to advanced project management skills. 8. Intermediate - Microsoft Word and  Excel.  The Enterprise uses SAP and Business Warehouse.   Experience Required: (type of experience and number of years required)1. 3 to 7 years experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, finance, or related fields2.  Education:  Bachelors Degree in Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related business degree3.  MBA, CPM and/or CPCU a plus4. Excellent written/verbal communications, as well as interpersonal skills, in order to: build relationships; interact effectively with internal and external contacts; present business recommendations and solutions; etc. 5. Proven organizational skills in order to prioritize and balance multiple projects and coordinate project timelines to ensure timely completion with minimal supervision 6. Demonstrated detail orientation 7. Demonstrated judgment and problem solving skills.