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Giovanni, Senior Sourcing Analyst (former) at NASCAR: Advize Career Interview
From Earth and Space Exploration to NASCAR, this career path is anything but typical.
A Senior Sourcing Analyst role involved analyzing spending, implementing systems improvements, and acting as a project manager, all while supporting the tracks and their needs for race day.
This position necessitates the ability to simplify complex information and leverage data analysis for strategic decisions. What's most enjoyable?
Making impactful systems improvements, gaining cross-functional exposure, and the perk of attending races. The biggest challenge? Navigating the fast-paced environment and overcoming resistance to change within the organization.
To thrive in motorsports, a "go-getter" attitude and problem-solving skills are crucial. The industry moves fast, so be prepared! Entry-level positions like NASCAR Next internships or partnership marketing offer inroads.
Immerse in the field, think strategically, and "dip your toes in different areas" to cultivate unique skills. This journey's most impactful experiences include a challenging MBA semester and a transformative internship.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Giovanni Pieve
Senior Sourcing Analyst (former)
NASCAR
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey: MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Engineering - Aerospace
Sports
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Former Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR
Giovanni's unconventional path began with an Earth and Space Exploration degree, pivoting to teaching English in South Korea for four years before returning to the U.S. to pursue an MBA "to get into the sports industry," ultimately leading to a Senior Sourcing Analyst role at NASCAR after an internship with their sourcing and procurement team.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR
As a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR, Giovanni's primary duties involved analyzing spending to identify opportunities for consolidation and better deals for the tracks, since most of the job was "about the money the track spent to put on the events." Giovanni also played a key role in implementing Workday's procure-to-pay system, acting as a project manager for system improvements and providing support to the tracks in their interactions with suppliers, to ultimately "support our company and support the tracks in getting the things they needed for race day."
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Sourcing Analyst At NASCAR
A senior sourcing analyst at NASCAR spent mornings addressing questions from people "around the tracks," followed by regularly auditing spend data. A significant portion of the role involved managing system improvement projects, from testing to implementation, and acting as the "named buyer" which required oversight of substantial spending to ensure accurate coding and input within the procurement system.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Sourcing Analyst At NASCAR
For a Senior Sourcing Analyst role, the two most crucial skills are being able to "break things down for people" and data analysis; the former involves explaining technical jargon to leadership in a concise manner while conveying every important detail, and the latter requires working with data visualization tools to "get stories from your data" to inform strategic decisions, even without expertise in complex coding languages. This combination of communication and analytical abilities enables one to bridge the gap between technical details and strategic decision-making.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR
Giovanni most enjoyed the "systems improvement part" of the Senior Sourcing Analyst role at NASCAR, as changes made a difference for end-users, and working cross-functionally allowed visibility into many departments, including marketing and finance. The role's centrality to NASCAR's spending, along with the perk of attending races, made the experience enjoyable and fostered a newfound passion for the sport, as Giovanni became a "diehard fan".
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR
Giovanni's biggest challenges as a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR stemmed from the sport's fast-paced nature, requiring constant readiness for upcoming races, and the difficulties of implementing a new procurement process within a company where "we've always done it this way" attitude often prevailed, making change management and stakeholder buy-in crucial for success. Ultimately, ensuring people understood that the changes were for "the betterment of the company as a whole" proved to be a significant hurdle.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Motorsports Industry As A Senior Sourcing Analyst
Giovanni enjoys the motorsports industry due to its close-knit nature and the camaraderie among people who "really want to help each other," along with the excitement of race day and the satisfaction of contributing to events like the Chicago Street Race, even from behind the scenes with "procure to pay stuff."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Motorsports Industry, According To A Former Senior Sourcing Analyst At NASCAR
Giovanni, a former Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR, believes that to thrive in the motorsports industry, one must be a "go-getter" and "problem solver" with the drive to prove one's worth beyond mere passion; aspiring professionals should focus on how to improve the sport, generate revenue, and contribute to its overall success, given the competitive nature of the sports and entertainment industries.
What a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Sports Industry
Giovanni wishes someone had fully prepared them for "the speed at which the industry moves," noting that while they knew it conceptually from an internship, the reality of a full season was much faster-paced, not just on race days but throughout the entire year. Experiencing a full season versus the internship period revealed a stark contrast in the tempo of the sport as a whole.
Entry-level positions for aspiring motorsports professionals
Giovanni suggests internships like the NASCAR Next program, and coordinator-level roles like "partnership marketing," and sales programs are good entry points to motorsports; he emphasizes that applicants should highlight their business skills over just passion for the sport and to consider teams like Hendricks Motorsports in addition to leagues like NASCAR for opportunities.
Significant Career Lesson From A Senior Sourcing Analyst At NASCAR
Giovanni learned the importance of immersing themself in their field, even when initially unfamiliar, as it allowed for strategic thinking beyond their role. This led to a well-received idea pitched to senior leadership at NASCAR, demonstrating that "don't just stick to the ins and outs of your role...immerse yourself in whatever company you're working for" to potentially impress others and contribute meaningfully.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Sourcing Analyst at NASCAR Succeed
Giovanni believes being involved in diverse activities during undergrad, despite a science-focused major, was key to career success, and suggests students "dip your toes in different areas" and explore various clubs and jobs to develop unique skills that set candidates apart and foster innovation. Having this diverse background, which included tutoring and teaching English, ultimately helped in applying for internships and jobs by showing experience outside of the cookie cutter mold.
What A Senior Sourcing Analyst Does At NASCAR
Giovanni identifies two particularly impactful experiences during their time at WP Carey: the challenging first semester of the MBA program, which helped them realize "this is the way [they were] supposed to go," and their internship, which fundamentally altered how they viewed the workplace and approached the job search, ultimately leading to a transformative experience that made them "a better person."
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