Category Analyst (Power BI, Python, QlikView, SQL, and relational databases)

Job Title: Category Analyst (Power BI, Python, QlikView, SQL, and relational databases)Location: Atlanta, GA 30308 (Hybrid: 4x/Week)Contract duration: 6+ Months. Long-term. Industry: Rail Transportation. Job Description:Reporting to the Category Manager, the Category Analyst role supports the Category Management group in analyzing data and the development of category strategies by translating data and facts into information used to develop category strategy and manage ongoing supplier performance. The Category Analyst is responsible for gathering necessary data, completing spend analysis, developing and updating baselines using category data, supply market analysis, sourcing evaluation models, developing negotiation models, and supplier performance metrics and monitoring solutions. Candidates must have an engineering or finance background with very strong analytical skills. POSITION SUMMARY:Reporting to the Category Manager, the Category Analyst role supports the Category Management group in analyzing data and the development of category strategies by translating data and facts into information used to develop category strategy and manage ongoing supplier performance. The Category Analyst is responsible for gathering necessary data, completing spend analysis, developing and updating baselines using category data, supply market analysis, sourcing evaluation models, developing negotiation models, and supplier performance metrics and monitoring solutions. Candidates must have an engineering or finance background with very strong analytical skills.SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:Identify, gather, and analyze various spend data as it applies to Category SourcingPerform detailed analysis on various categories to understand and capture market trends, indices, benchmarks, cost drivers, suppliers, and best practicesPerform periodic "spend criticality analysis" at the category and Enterprise levelProvide input to value propositions and sourcing options leveraging various SCM toolsDevelop and maintain a database of potential sourcing suppliersGather external category data and regularly segment category spend to understand off-contract or non-compliant spend within a categoryBuild total cost of ownership models and prioritize opportunitiesAnalyze the marketplace and identify industry structure and levers in the supply marketAssess new market entrants, non-traditional suppliers, and substitute products/services while summarizing improvement opportunitiesDevelop strategic sourcing evaluation models and negotiation modelsDevelop supplier scorecards and assist in measuring Key Performance Indicators and Service Levels for strategic suppliersSupport the development and documentation of current-state maps, future-state processes, and technology requirementsOVERALL QUALIFICATIONS:Academic CertificationAn undergraduate degree in a technical or business discipline or equivalent is desiredEngineering or Computer Science degreeFinance and/or Economics Bachelor's degreeProfessional CertificationProject Management certification or Professional Supply Chain certification is desirableRole Specific Experience3–5 years of experience in category management and/or data analysis, including experience with leading analytics and visualization solutions such as Power BI, Tableau, Python, QlikView, Alteryx, or SQL to extract data from relational databasesIndustry Specific ExperienceExperience within the rail industry is preferred, and preference will be given to candidates with industry experience in these or alternative leading-practice Supply Chain industriesOther Technical Skills / AbilitiesCompetency in written and oral communication skills, project management skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, people management skills, and financial acumen is requiredTECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:Project ManagementDemonstrates thorough understanding of project management competency, tools, and techniques and can help solve problems or breakdowns in the processAbility to create work/project management tools (work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, etc.)Plan and run basic projects using project management best practices; develops schedules and task/people assignmentsRisk ManagementProvides input to complex risk analyses and uses concepts in own work by proactively considering appropriate mitigating and contingency actionsSupplier Performance ManagementUnderstands the principles of supplier relationship management but has limited commercial focus and awareness beyond the sourcing stageAble to develop supplier performance management KPI tracking solutionsContract Writing and ManagementHas a basic understanding of contracting and its impact on business; can help solve problems or breakdowns in the processScopes standard work, performance criteria, guarantees, warranties, and payment terms and conditionsSpend AnalysisCapable of developing detailed category spend analysis to the line level and using appropriate spend analysis toolsAble to provide ongoing category-level spend monitoring analysis to understand off-contract or rogue spendNegotiationSupport and participate in negotiations of contracts between $1 and $10 million with successful results (i.e., savings, diversity, value discovery) in driving the best total cost of ownership for the companyProficient ability to develop strategies and tactics for conflict resolution and to understand distributive and integrative bargaining techniques, with familiarity in multiparty negotiationsStrategic SourcingThorough understanding of strategic sourcing steps and processes (opportunity quantification, supplier selection, evaluation, negotiation, RFI/RFP)Develop documents to support the process and facilitate a team in developing Strategic Sourcing supporting documentsCategory Strategy Development and ManagementFully understands, can articulate, and enact the principles of a strategic category approach (inclusive of Strategic Sourcing, Change Management, Process Improvement, and Technology Enablement)Market AnalysisProvide direction/oversee market research for a specific product, service, or firm, and understand internal and external market forcesAdvanced ability to understand indices for certain product or service categories, identify cost components, and perform pricing analysis based on applicable market indicesDirect SWOT analysis and risk analysis for public and private companiesProcurement ProcessProficient knowledge and application of applicable policies, processes, and procedures across the end-to-end procurement processDesign and coordinate procurement processes and ensure efficient utilization of resources across all activitiesCoordinate with appropriate stakeholders to develop project plans; work with others to manage vendor/contractor integrationThe Category Analyst supports Category Management initiatives by conducting spend analysis, supply market analysis, sourcing evaluations, negotiation modeling, supplier performance tracking, and category strategy development. Responsibilities include analyzing category spend and market trends, developing total cost of ownership models, managing supplier databases, supporting strategic sourcing activities, creating supplier scorecards and KPI tracking solutions, and assisting with procurement process improvement and technology requirements. Candidates must have 3–5 years of experience in category management, procurement analytics, or data analysis, with strong expertise in Power BI, Tableau, Python, QlikView, Alteryx, SQL, and relational databases. Required qualifications include an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Finance, Economics, or a related business/technical discipline. Preferred qualifications include Project Management or Professional Supply Chain certification and experience within the rail or other leading-practice supply chain industries. The role also requires expertise in strategic sourcing, spend analysis, contract management, supplier performance management, negotiation support, procurement processes, market analysis, risk analysis, and total cost of ownership modeling.