Associate Director – Procurement

Latham & Watkins LLP • Los Angeles, CA

112d • $250,000 - $280,000

About The Position

The Associate Director – Procurement is an integral part of Latham’s Global Finance team. This role will be responsible for the direct management of the Procurement team and providing support and guidance to those personnel, outside of the procurement function, who are involved in contracting, buying, and other spend activities, while ensuring all procurement developments and procedures are designed and created to support firm strategy, reduce spend, and provide effective process and systems to support contracting and buying activities. This role drives the procurement function to maturity, executes on the transformation of the function, drives spend optimization, and is viewed as a strategic business partner of the firm. This role will be located in our Global Services Office in Downtown Los Angeles. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Requirements

• Possess excellent leadership skills, and the ability to lead a team necessary for effective management.
• Exhibit knowledge of project management principles and program management experience.
• Demonstrate the ability to undertake large, long-term projects, develop alternative methods for completion, and implement solutions.
• A bachelor's degree with a concentration in business administration, preferably.
• An MBA or advanced degree in business, finance, supply chain, or other relevant discipline, preferably.
• A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience of indirect procurement in a similar-sized organization and industry, preferably.
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in a procurement leadership role with demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic direction and support to the firm regarding supplier and risk management, contract negotiation, procurement operations (procure-to-pay), category management/strategic sourcing, contracts administration, asset management, and analytics.
• Leading firm wide procurement related projects to completion.
• Building and sustaining a high-performing procurement organization and team.
• Communicating procurement activities and vision/roadmap to all relevant stakeholders in the organization on a regular basis.
• Developing and managing a vendor management program in partnership with business stakeholders, the vendor risk management function, and a global accounts payable team.
• Staying abreast of current and new procurement related tools, technologies, and market trends.
• Leading and guiding other firm personnel involved in negotiating contracts or buying activities, including providing training in best practices.
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information.

Benefits

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance.
• A generous 401k plan.
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure.
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more).
• Professional development programs.
• Employee discounts.
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees