Procurement Manager

We are recruiting for an IT Procurement Manager - Indirect to join our team in a contract to hire role to ensure that the best possible combination of money spent and value received exists for assigned categories of goods and services. The position is charged with continually understanding the internal stakeholders’ business needs with respect to assigned indirect categories. Further, the position is charged with understanding the capabilities, dynamics and competitive factors in the associated supply markets. Using an established Category Management approach, the position is charged with leading the development and execution of coherent, consistent strategies for spending, pricing and vendor selection that drive toward enhanced value and breakthrough savings. The Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading the sourcing activities for the Professional Services Categories with an emphasis on IT and Contingent Labor including the Managed Service Provider (MSP)/ Vendor Management System (VMS) providers for the Contingent Labor program. This role reports to the VP Corporate Procurement, is a key member of the Corporate Procurement team, and will be expected to contribute widely to the development of process and capability of the entire Procurement function. High degree of judgment and independent decision-making; moderate strategy formulation within specific categories. Management responsibility includes organizing, delegating, measuring, monitoring, guiding, coaching and evaluation. Responsibilities: Leadership and management of an assigned spend area of goods & services within the indirect procurement area. This will include regional and national level activities. Lead the sourcing activities for the Professional Services Categories with an emphasis on IT Services and Contingent Labor including the Managed Service Provider (MSP)/ Vendor Management System (VMS) providers for the Contingent Labor program. Supervise the performance of the MSP and VMS partners and to manage long term strategy, continuous improvement, of the Managed Service Provider program. Analyze data and work with internal business partners to identify opportunities, develop strategies, develop and manage RFx’s, and negotiate agreements in the assigned indirect categories. Develop internal business partner relationships, key strategic supplier relationships, and responsible for negotiating market leading contract and commercial terms, with new or existing regional and national suppliers, aimed at reducing risk and to reduce total cost of ownership across Business Units. Interact with all levels of management, including senior and executive management from various businesses and suppliers Participate in quarterly reviews, monitor service levels, set and monitor reporting parameters, oversee programming needs, access and analyze travel reports and contribute to touch base calls. Set guidelines for prompt issue resolution and evaluate savings opportunities. Responsible for collecting savings data and documenting for accuracy, based on company goals. Maintenance of the Procurement Savings Tracker for the travel category. Practical adoption and use of the Category Management cross-functional process to deliver Procurement strategies for each category and sub-category. Category Management process: Identification of prioritized opportunities, Leadership and facilitation of cross-functional category teams, Communication planning and execution with targeted stakeholders, Assessment of strategic and tactical options, Consensus building among cross-functional team, Formulation and articulation of strategies, Governing implementation, Implementation of those strategies in pursuit of breakthrough delivery of improved value to the business Development of expertise in the relevant supply markets involved in the assigned spend area Negotiation and establishment of pricing and terms of sale for assigned spend area. Development and maintenance of excellent commercial relationships within existing and potential vendor community that create a climate of service, innovation and continually improving value. Support in the development of the required strategies, skills, support & delivery systems involved in management and execution in assigned spend areas Awareness and involvement in the entire scope of Corporate Procurement activities Challenge of existing ways of working in pursuit of opportunities for cost reduction, value improvement and application of lean processes. Adoption, and use of Ariba Procure-to-Pay Solution Networking with key stakeholders to insure awareness and support of Procurement strategies. Communication and distribution of specific plans, strategies & actions into the stakeholder community to facilitate change management Awareness of spend patterns and organizational behaviors within assigned spend area Insure compliance within assigned reporting area with all Business Standards, internal policies and legal/regulatory requirements. Internally, interact with senior and functional management and broad array of stakeholders across the organization including Influencing, receiving and assessing input, conflict resolution, consensus-building, providing direction to direct reports and adhoc team members and general communication Externally, interactions with incumbent and potential vendors including negotiating, collaboration, providing direction and feedback and being the organization’s face to the vendor community. Requirements: 4 years procurement experience in a sophisticated sourcing environment with experience in Professional Services Categories with an emphasis in Technology Proven executive stakeholder management and influencing skills. Experience in managing a Contingent Labor/Temporary Labor category, with an emphasis on continuous improvement and management of an MSP solution. Strong proficiency in all stages of the sourcing life cycle (from market analysis to procure to pay), especially the negotiation of contractual agreements. Demonstrated track record in complex deal structuring, negotiations and contracting Ability to manage large dollar, time sensitive, vendor negotiations Category Sourcing experience in a large, diverse, national organization a must. BA/BS required. MBA preferred. Proficient in Project Management skills. Proficiency with spend analytics tools. Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze and draw conclusions from quantitative data. Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate and engage at all levels at all organizational levels; ability to cultivate and sustain high quality professional relationships High Level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint Familiarity and experience with use of formal Category Management approach to Procurement is desirable Familiarity and experience with use of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) tools and systems is desirable, specifically Ariba