Strategic Sourcing Analyst

Harvard University’s Strategic Procurement Department is a central administrative function that serves all Harvard schools, institutes, and administrative units. Our mission is to create value for Harvard by optimizing the procurement of goods and services while upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and supplier partnership. We manage over $3.5 billion in annual addressable spend and are committed to practices that support balance of trade, environmental sustainability, and the University’s long-term financial health.  

The Strategic Sourcing Analyst supports the end-to-end sourcing process by conducting supplier qualification and due diligence, issuing RFIs/RFQs, and analyzing supplier proposals for price, delivery, and compliance with requirements. This role researches market and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and risks, contributes to spend analysis and savings calculations, and applies basic total cost of ownership (TCO) principles to recommendations.  

The analyst collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to refine specifications, supports contract execution and documentation, assists in drafting SLAs and performance metrics, and helps resolve routine supplier disputes. The position is responsible for preparing reports, presentations, and first-draft sourcing recommendations for management review, as well as tracking and reporting supplier performance and participating in business reviews. The Strategic Sourcing Analyst also supports audits, supplier meetings, and special projects, while continuously developing procurement and sourcing skills through intermediate-level professional development. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Conduct straightforward supplier qualification and due diligence  

• Analyze market and supplier data to make recommendations and set team priorities  

• Issue RFIs/RFQs and compiles price comparison sheets  

• Research industry trends to identify potential sourcing opportunities and risks  

• Analyze offers for price, delivery, and alignment to requirements  

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for input on specifications  

• Escalate supplier risks and non-compliance to management  

• Communicate with suppliers to clarify or negotiate routine terms  

• Utilize basic total cost of ownership (TCO) considerations  

• Prepare and distribute regular reports on sourcing activities, savings, and spend  

• Prepare first-draft sourcing recommendations for manager review  

• Support contract execution and document management  

• Assist in drafting SLAs and performance metrics  

• Prepare presentations on supplier proposals  

• Tracks and reports supplier performance data  

• Participates in supplier business review sessions  

• Contributes to spend analysis and basic savings calculations  

• Collaborates in resolving supplier disputes

• Provides feedback for process improvement and streamlining  

• Supports the development and implementation of sourcing strategies  

• Participates in audits or internal reviews related to procurement  

• Coordinates logistics for supplier meetings, evaluations, and site visits  

• Supports ad-hoc projects as assigned by sourcing managers or leadership  

• Complete intermediate procurement or sourcing professional development courses