Overview
The Procurement Specialist (Category Manager) leads and manages category and sourcing initiatives for corporate procurement, partnering with clients to develop procurement plans and conduct market research.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads and independently manages the category and sourcing initiatives for categories within Corporate Procurement.
- Partners with client’s needs, collaborate with clients in developing procurement plans; carry out market research to identify sources of supply, trend analysis and benchmarks.
- Develops evaluation criteria, generate solicitations, manages bidding process, reviews technical specifications for completeness and competitive qualities; prepares contracts; and engages vendors in process discussions and negotiates contract terms and conditions.
- Provides guidance and direction to Project Managers on commercial contract management issues.
- Possesses an expert level understanding of commerciality and ability to demonstrate value for money through strategic planning, solicitation, and negotiations.
- Maximizes positive impact on sustainability (diversity, environment, social responsibility) through the sourcing process and category management.
- Exposure to risk management, assessing risks, and work with business partners to mitigate risks through sourcing.
Required Experience
- at least 5 years of relevant experience in category management and sourcing complex procurements
- Proven experience in category management and category management in above mentioned categories in Consulting, Labor, Technology or professional services.
- Knowledge of international procurement practices and public/private sector procedures, with required in-depth experience in corporate-level service procurement at an international organization or multinational company.
- Extensive experience in developing category strategies incorporating industry benchmarks, understanding sources of supply, market trends, pricing, etc.
- Strong negotiating skills, including the ability to negotiate complex contract terms and conditions (e.g., international regulations, technology issues, data privacy, indemnification, intellectual property, cultural issues, assignment, contract termination).
- Knowledge of sustainable procurement trends and practices, including supplier diversity & inclusion activities.
- Strong interpersonal and analytical capabilities and logical problem-solving skills, and ability to structure data and assign resources effectively, monitor implementation and deliver results in line with project goals.
- Project Management skills with extensive experience in managing multiple related projects to ensure the overall program is aligned and directly supports the achievement of strategic objectives.
- Ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
- Expert user with MS Office applications (Excel, PPT, Word) and comfortable with adoption of technology and/or systems relevant to the functional area.
Qualifications
Master's degree in Supply Management, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Applied Economics, or a related field, with at least 5 years of relevant experience in category management and sourcing complex procurements, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
