Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Corporate Procurement, Transportation and Logistics Department
Intern Program
Summer 2001

Background

Bethlehem Steel Corporation�s Purchasing and Transportation Department has undergone a process change in its procurement activities to a disciplined state-of-the-art approach which we refer to as Strategic Sourcing. This effort was initiated in 1995 with an intensely focused effort aimed at achieving significant breakthrough cost reductions. The process has become the procurement methodology for Bethlehem Steel and has proven to be highly successful.

A program has been established to involve interns over a 3-4 month period in the efforts of a Strategic Sourcing Team. Interns will be an integral part of a sourcing team, and will be held accountable for assisting in achieving the goals set for this team. Work will include involvement from the beginning of the process through negotiations and implementation of the negotiated agreements. This program will allow interns to experience activities of a disciplined procurement process while applying and enhancing materials taught in school program.

• As a member of the sourcing group, intern will be held accountable for goals (cost reductions) set for the team.
• Through activities will become exposed and experienced to Strategic Sourcing, a disciplined procurement process.
• Exposure to the day-to-day activities of a large company, while applying and enhancing school course material.

Strategic Sourcing for Bethlehem Steel is a state-of-the-art, multi-step process with the outcome being significant breakthrough cost reductions. The process begins with obtaining a detailed understanding of the commodity being sourced from an internal and external perspective. It then involved developing sourcing hypotheses which are then tested on the market. Once the number of hypotheses have been narrowed, scripted and controlled negotiations are held with suppliers in order to find the route to cost reductions. Finally once agreement(s) have been reached, the agreement implementation is closely monitored to ensure the results reach the bottom line: the ultimate objective.

One year or less remaining to complete a Bachelors Degree, with a major in business or other technical area. Strong ethical and professional conduct is a requirement.

The intern will become a full-time (Summer 2001), fully accountable member of a sourcing team. The intern will be responsible for adding value in support of each step that allows the team to achieve the goals set for it.