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What does a senior sourcing specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

The job of a senior sourcing specialist is to help companies implement more effective processes and systems to reduce costs and increase profitability. You will be responsible for negotiating with suppliers to procure materials, products, and services at the best possible price using your in-depth knowledge of their industry and strategic sourcing strategies. As a senior source specialist, you are expected to develop and implement inventory optimization strategies across the company. You will also need to find or develop solutions to improve company outsourcing and spending.

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Senior sourcing specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior sourcing specialist resumes:

  • Manage PPV activity and respond with corrective action when need.
  • Lead an RFP which include 18 suppliers and develop a model to qualify the best.
  • Manage and track candidates according to OFCCP guidelines for internal/external candidates which result in compliance with the program.
  • Develop cross functional sourcing teams to accomplish vendor selection for increase competitiveness through the RFP, RFI and RFQ processes.
  • Generate candidate pipeline by sourcing passive candidates using company database, LinkedIn, marketing campaign leads, personal/professional networking leads/referrals.
  • Work with HUMINT, CI, SIGINT, and OSINT (open source intelligence).
  • Issue purchase orders and debit memos in ERP system.
  • Enter employee information in HRIS Infinium system.
  • Analyze SIGACT/IIR for de-confliction within the DIA database in support of the APTF.
  • Lead cross functional team members through the development and execution of the RFX suite.
  • Screen hundreds of candidates on a daily basis utilizing the client applicant tracking system Taleo.
  • Prepare applicant tracking log for OFCCP compliance, as well as initiate all diversity recruitment activities.
  • Travele to reporter sites to coordinate collection requirements, identify CI issues, and provide training on targets of interest.
  • Utilize applicant tracking system Taleo for candidate status and dispositions.
  • Provide office support for both operations and sales/marketing sides of used commodities trading company.

Senior sourcing specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Senior Sourcing Specialists are proficient in Linkedin, HR, and Applicant Tracking Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Math skills, and Negotiating skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Sourcing Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Linkedin, 11%

    Sourced candidates utilizing resume databases within Kenexa, networking sites including LinkedIn, competitive intelligence and other networking tools.

  • HR, 10%

    Direct Source highly relevant prospects to fill target positions for HR, IT, Legal, and Engineering roles.

  • Applicant Tracking Systems, 9%

    Managed a high - volume candidate pipeline using customer relationship management (CRM) and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

  • Strategic Sourcing, 7%

    Managed and executed strategic sourcing procurement process for assigned commodity group.

  • CRM, 5%

    Designed CRM and metrics to help clearly define success of team.

  • Healthcare, 3%

    Increased healthcare segment sales in the first quarter 2016, and secured six new approved key suppliers through Supplier Development/Sr.

Most senior sourcing specialists use their skills in "linkedin," "hr," and "applicant tracking systems" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior sourcing specialist responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior sourcing specialist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior sourcing specialists do because "when evaluating suppliers, purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must analyze their options and choose a supplier with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service." Additionally, a senior sourcing specialist resume shows how senior sourcing specialists use analytical skills: "generated candidate pipeline by sourcing passive candidates using company database, linkedin, marketing campaign leads, personal/professional networking leads/referrals. "

Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior sourcing specialist duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must possess math skills." According to a senior sourcing specialist resume, here's how senior sourcing specialists can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "developed market research on employment trends, labor statistics line managers as they plan future employment options. "

Negotiating skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior sourcing specialists is negotiating skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior sourcing specialist duties, as "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "decreased costs by $550k by executing and negotiating new contracts and improving cash position with improved payment terms. "

Most common senior sourcing specialist skills

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Compare different senior sourcing specialists

Senior sourcing specialist vs. Landman

Landmen are referred to as the public-facing side of a gas, mineral, and oil exploration and production team. They are professionals who interact and negotiate directly with landowners for the acquisition of gas and oil drilling leases. Their duties include acquiring subsurface mineral rights from the landowners. They negotiate mineral rights, which include marketing and leasing right from the owner. The skills necessary for the job include management skills, leadership, communication skills, and attention to detail.

The annual salary of landmen is $3,640 higher than the average salary of senior sourcing specialists.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior sourcing specialist responsibilities require skills like "linkedin," "hr," "applicant tracking systems," and "strategic sourcing." Meanwhile a typical landman has skills in areas such as "ownership reports," "title searches," "due diligence," and "right-of-way." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, landmen reach lower levels of education than senior sourcing specialists. Landmen are 9.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 8.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior sourcing specialist vs. Buyer

A buyer's duties include product sourcing and comparing resources for the best product range that would suit the specific needs of the business. Buyers must have excellent communication and negotiation skills to evaluate items that most likely benefit the customer and improve the sales of daily operations with cost-efficient products. They also conduct extensive research for market and price trends while considering the highest quality standards. Buyers should also possess strong analytical skills to create purchase orders and statistical analysis.

On average, buyers earn a $25,164 lower salary than senior sourcing specialists a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior sourcing specialists and buyers have skills such as "strategic sourcing," "supplier performance," and "supplier relationships. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior sourcing specialist responsibilities requires skills like "linkedin," "hr," "applicant tracking systems," and "crm." But a buyer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "logistics," "on-time delivery," and "delivery dates."

On average, buyers earn a lower salary than senior sourcing specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, buyers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $59,735. Whereas senior sourcing specialists have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $89,559.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Buyers tend to reach lower levels of education than senior sourcing specialists. In fact, they're 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior sourcing specialist vs. Contract worker

A contract worker is an independent contractor who only works at companies for a limited amount of time, according to agreed-upon contract terms. When it comes to employment, a contract worker may find opportunities in different industries, depending upon their set of skills and abilities. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their company or industry of employment, it typically includes performing basic tasks, maintaining an active communication line with co-workers, and adhering to company policies and regulations.

An average contract worker eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of senior sourcing specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to contract workers earning a $8,388 lower average salary than senior sourcing specialists.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior sourcing specialist is likely to be skilled in "linkedin," "applicant tracking systems," "strategic sourcing," and "crm," while a typical contract worker is skilled in "financial statements," "payroll," "computer system," and "assembly line."

When it comes to education, contract workers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to senior sourcing specialists. In fact, they're 6.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior sourcing specialist vs. Planner/buyer

The role of buyers/planners is to ensure that office materials and equipment are well-supplied within their organization. They decide and purchase the materials needed for use or resale by their organization. They are responsible for evaluating prospective suppliers based on their cost, product quality, and delivery times. They are also the ones who negotiate contracts specifying the payment terms, price, and delivery schedules. Most employers prefer their buyer to have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in operations management or business management.

Planner/buyers tend to earn a lower pay than senior sourcing specialists by an average of $24,952 per year.According to resumes from senior sourcing specialists and planner/buyers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "strategic sourcing," "supplier performance," and "supplier relationships. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A senior sourcing specialist uses "linkedin," "hr," "applicant tracking systems," and "crm." Planner/buyers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "supply chain," "customer service," "logistics," and "production schedules. "planner/buyers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,806. For comparison, senior sourcing specialists earn the highest salary in the health care industry.In general, planner/buyers hold lower degree levels compared to senior sourcing specialists. Planner/buyers are 7.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior sourcing specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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