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Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Contract Specialist

Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Olive Branch, Mississippi, United States, 38654

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About Williams‑Sonoma Distribution Center – Olive Branch, MS Since it was founded in 1956, Williams‑Sonoma has grown from Chuck Williams’ single store in Sonoma, CA into one of the largest retailers in the country, with some best‑known and most beloved brands in home furnishings, including Williams‑Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm.

Our Distribution Centers serve as vital connections between factories and our retail, online and mail‑order customers around the world. The Supply Chain environment is dynamic and fast‑paced, and the network is expanding rapidly. If you have a background in distribution, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, finance, human resources, or home delivery – and are looking for a job with a strong opportunity for gaining new skills and for advancement – our Supply Chain Organization could be just the place for you.

Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. Supply Chain Overview By managing resources responsibly, caring for our people, and uniting around our values, we lead our industry and are proud to be recognized for our continuous action and progress in the following areas:

Barr’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies

Forbes Best Employers for Women and Diversity

Newsweek America’s Most Responsible Companies

USA Today Customer Service Champions

These honors reflect that we are truly a people‑first organization.

We manage three key categories:

Over 4,000 full‑time associates across the Supply Chain

14.5 M square feet of small parcel, personalization, furniture, and manufacturing space in the domestic US, comprising: Large package/furniture distribution centers in Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey totaling 9.2 M sq ft plus another 1.2 M sq ft of standalone final‑mile furniture hubs

Small package eCommerce distribution centers in Mississippi and Arizona totaling 3.2 M sq ft, consisting of over 1,000 full‑time associates and 1,500 seasonal/temporary associates in Mississippi Sutter Street Manufacturing upholstery factories in North Carolina and Mississippi totaling over 1,400 full‑time employees producing approximately $900 million to $1 billion in sales of upholstered furniture

Transportation Department for Ocean, Air, Trucking, and Rail, consisting of over 30 transportation professionals located in Memphis, TN

700 associates in our Sourcing offices in 10 countries in Asia and Europe including China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Italy, and Turkey

Contract Specialist – Olive Branch, MS The Contract Specialist is responsible for drafting, negotiating, and managing a wide range of contracts and vendor relationships in support of business operations. This role partners closely with Operations, 3rd‑party providers, Procurement, Legal, Finance, Risk, and other departments to ensure agreements align with company standards, reduce risk, and drive cost savings.

The Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for contract‑related activities and plays a key role in implementing best‑in‑class contracting processes and vendor management practices.

What You’ll Be Doing

Deliver weekly status reporting and metrics related to contracts review and cost savings

Draft, review, benchmark, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including NDAs, MSAs, SLAs, SOWs, leases, order forms, amendments, and technology‑related contracts

Ensure final contract documents reflect negotiated terms and comply with internal policies, legal requirements, and business objectives

Identify contractual risks and provide decision support to business partners, offering recommendations and mitigation strategies

Maintain a thorough understanding of contract law and apply it in all reviews and negotiations

Participate in vendor initiatives, including sourcing activities (RFx), supplier evaluations, vendor recommendations, and contract negotiation

Analyze vendor spend and business requirements to propose cost‑saving opportunities and optimize vendor relationships

Proactively monitor contract renewals, amendments, expirations, and compliance with contractual obligations

Manage real‑time contract review tracking through internal systems such as SharePoint, spend tools, and service‑management platforms

Act as a primary contracting point of contact for business partners and stakeholders across the supply chain

Collaborate with Legal, Corporate Accounting, Risk, Compliance, Operations, and Internal Audit teams on contract reviews and corporate compliance matters

Participate in or lead team meetings to provide updates on contract status, vendor spend, renewals, and cost savings metrics

Communicate with internal partners regarding contract proposals, risk considerations, litigation concerns, and other matters affecting business units

Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining best‑in‑class contracting, vendor management, and procurement processes

Create or improve contracting procedures to balance rigor with operational efficiency and avoid bottlenecks for business units

Ensure internal contract procedures are effective, compliant, and aligned with company interests

Support the creation and maintenance of workflows, templates, and process documentation within Procurement and the Raindrops Contract Management system

Educate and train business partners on contracting processes, vendor management practices, and related tools

Provide customer service and expert guidance to internal stakeholders throughout the contracting lifecycle

Support teams participating in RFP responses by reviewing requirements, identifying risks, and advising on appropriate contractual language

Deliver weekly reporting and metrics related to contract status, cost savings, renewals, and vendor performance

Maintain consistent documentation and real‑time updates in systems such as SharePoint, ServiceNow, and procurement/spend management tools

Operate required office equipment and maintain clear communication channels across teams

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Engineering or related field

At least 3 years of experience in indirect procurement (strategic sourcing, category/supplier/spend management), contracts and vendor relationship management

Strong knowledge of contract law, contracting principles, and vendor management best practices

Experience partnering with Legal, Risk, Corporate Accounting, and Compliance teams

Working knowledge of internal audit interactions and compliance standards

Strong analytical ability with aptitude for numbers and financial basics

Proficiency with MS Office Suite (including redlining Word documents) and Adobe Acrobat

Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and multitasking capability

Outstanding written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with SharePoint, ServiceNow, or spend management tools

Physical Requirements

Must be able to walk, stand, bend, and climb stairs/ladder; sit for a long period of time

Able to use computer for an extended period of time

Repetitive movement with hand and fingers to operate a computer, phone, and keyboard

Benefits

Generous discount on all Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. brand products

401(k) plan and other investment opportunities

Paid vacations, Employee Assistance Programs, Time Off to Volunteer, Matching Gifts Community Service Program, and Holidays (in some locations)

Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same‑sex domestic partner benefits, Legal and Identity Protection Plans and Pet Insurance

For more information on our benefits offerings, please visit MyWSIBenefits.com

To learn more about our Supply Chain culture and regional associate events, please visit https://shorturl.at/R3OAX (Login credentials may be required)

EOE

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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