Director, Procurement

Cantor Fitzgerald • Chicago, IL

1d • $125,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The principal purpose of the Category Manager- Indirect is to oversee all Category Management, Strategic Sourcing as well as Supplier Management performance and relationship management activities for IT, Marketing, and Research Subscriptions. We are a growing team and are seeking an individual to work in partnership with indirect leaders globally as they leverage third party resources to deliver the business requirements supporting our technology enabled services. The Category Manager will be responsible for driving performance from the supply base and internal procurement team, which include competitive market analysis; supplier identification and relationship management; execution of the RFI/RFP and competitive bid process; contract and price negotiations; and the day-to-day management of assigned programs to drive savings, improve business processes and comply with all corporate, legal and regulatory policies. Category Manager will lead and drive cross-functional sourcing agenda and drive alignment between category strategies and the needs and requirements of the business. The Category Manager will function as an individual contributor and will collaborate with both manager and individual contributor resources within the Global Procurement Organization. In addition, the Category Manager will work closely with business unit leadership and will lead or participate on cross functional teams to develop strategic procurement strategies and solutions that align to the business unit strategies. To accomplish this, the Category Manager will need to collaborate and build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Responsible for the following: Category and Supplier Management Defines category and demand profile for respective subcategories Assesses the supply market Develops category strategy and plans that encompass creative and well thought out insights and solutions Executes plan and realizes benefits Refines and refreshes category management strategies and plans based on monitoring progress toward results Manages supplier relationships, risks, performance Stakeholder and Requirements Management Serves as the interface between the functional team members to ensure effective definition of and delivery of category management activities Builds strong working relationships with business unit stakeholders in order to ensure requirements and considerations are being incorporated into category management and sourcing plans Works with the business units to prepare project plans for proposed Procurement activities and makes sure all stakeholders understand timelines and assignments Manages communications with business unit stakeholders, including regular project updates and executive updates as needed Develops and maintains strong relationships with business units and penetrating the organization by continually demonstrating value and breaking down resistance in order to effectively manage spend Collaborates with business unit stakeholders to establish strong working relationships Meets or exceeds business unit expectations, looks for ways to improve the working relationship and experience, creates a unified team environment and team goals, and ensures all stakeholders understand the connection between the Procurement category strategies and the overall business objectives and strategies Drives for results by consistently achieving goals and pushing to complete tasks by their deadlines Core Responsibilities Pursues professional growth and provides developmental opportunities for others by soliciting and acting on performance feedback; building collaborative, cross-functional relationships; hiring, training, and developing talent for growth opportunities; delegating tasks and decisions; fostering open dialogue amongst team members; working closely with employees to set goals and provide open feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement Manages designated work stream to meet customer and business needs by translating business plans into strategic opportunities and tactical action items; communicating goals and objectives; overseeing work assignments; aligning team efforts; building accountability for and measuring progress in achieving results; identifying and addressing improvement opportunities; assuming responsibility for decision making

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 5 years in a Procurement Category Manager, Sourcing Manager or Center of Excellence role managing Corporate / Indirect categories
• At least 3 years working in a General Business Consulting or Supply Chain Management practice at a reputable consulting firm, delivering third party, cost savings initiatives
• Proven experience in working with, presenting, and influencing all levels of the organization
• Proven track record of executing cost savings initiatives in the IT, Marketing and Research spend categories
• Ability to develop a savings pipeline over time
• Understanding of procurement best practices, policies, and procedures
• Building and managing diverse relationships
• Analytical and Financial acumen
• Effective Communication (both verbal and written)
• Creative problem solver
• Ability to make decisions
• Negotiations

Nice To Haves

• Experience working for a top Commercial Real Estate Services firm a plus
• Professional certification e.g., CPSM, CIPS, C.P.M., PMP, or evidence of continued professional growth
• Interface with all levels in the organization

Responsibilities

• Category and Supplier Management Defines category and demand profile for respective subcategories
• Assesses the supply market
• Develops category strategy and plans that encompass creative and well thought out insights and solutions
• Executes plan and realizes benefits
• Refines and refreshes category management strategies and plans based on monitoring progress toward results
• Manages supplier relationships, risks, performance Stakeholder and Requirements Management Serves as the interface between the functional team members to ensure effective definition of and delivery of category management activities
• Builds strong working relationships with business unit stakeholders in order to ensure requirements and considerations are being incorporated into category management and sourcing plans
• Works with the business units to prepare project plans for proposed Procurement activities and makes sure all stakeholders understand timelines and assignments
• Manages communications with business unit stakeholders, including regular project updates and executive updates as needed
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with business units and penetrating the organization by continually demonstrating value and breaking down resistance in order to effectively manage spend
• Collaborates with business unit stakeholders to establish strong working relationships
• Meets or exceeds business unit expectations, looks for ways to improve the working relationship and experience, creates a unified team environment and team goals, and ensures all stakeholders understand the connection between the Procurement category strategies and the overall business objectives and strategies
• Drives for results by consistently achieving goals and pushing to complete tasks by their deadlines
• Pursues professional growth and provides developmental opportunities for others by soliciting and acting on performance feedback; building collaborative, cross-functional relationships; hiring, training, and developing talent for growth opportunities; delegating tasks and decisions; fostering open dialogue amongst team members; working closely with employees to set goals and provide open feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement
• Manages designated work stream to meet customer and business needs by translating business plans into strategic opportunities and tactical action items; communicating goals and objectives; overseeing work assignments; aligning team efforts; building accountability for and measuring progress in achieving results; identifying and addressing improvement opportunities; assuming responsibility for decision making

Benefits

• competitive benefits package (including health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching)
• this position may be eligible for additional types of compensation including discretionary bonuses and other short- and long-term incentives (e.g., deferred cash, equity, etc.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees