Senior Category Manager - Professional Services

Northern Trust • Chicago, IL

13d

About The Position

About Northern Trust: Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889. Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. Major Duties : Develops best-in-class procurement and category management practices enterprise-wide, including: effective sourcing and overall procurement strategies; processes and infrastructure to effectively manage procurement activities across all spending categories; sustainable purchasing methods, delegating tactical and administrative tasks as appropriate. Works with Category Managers to establish and communicate category strategy and provide updates on adherence to strategy Mentors Category Managers on the approach and resources to educate themselves in their industry and expand their knowledge base Develops, implements and communicates an overall strategy to meet both the Business Unit's and Corporation's strategic plan Establishes periodic strategic reviews with executive leadership to promote top down alignment and best practices with clients Leads and manages sourcing events (e.g. Request for Proposal, Request for Information, Request for Quote, Renewals, New Product negotiations) and the sourcing process, including project management, development of RFx, negotiations and award process. Responsible for contract review, drafting and creation of various agreements, including NDAs, Master Agreements, Statements of Work, etc. and leading all aspects of contract & price negotiations and ongoing contract administration. Responsible for adherence to procurement processes and procedures. Supports supplier adherence to contracts, manages suppliers via supplier activity reporting and business/performance reviews, supports supplier scorecards, supplier rationalization and demand management opportunities. Supports regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g. OFAC, FCPA, Spend Analysis, Client Relationships). Manages reporting of Procurement performance metrics, and provides ongoing support for internal and external audit requests Establishes and maintains relationships with key partners, education on policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues. Utilizes Contract Management System for systematic organization and classification of contracts. Interacts with business and Partners to formulate and implement strategy and solutions to enhance existing services, create new services or improve processes. Identifies impact of changes and processes; facilitates acceptance of change through training and communication. Provides ongoing support for the solution.

Requirements

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in Strategy Sourcing and Category Management best practices
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services
• An experienced Procurement Consultant to provide end-to-end category management, strategic sourcing, and procurement of indirect procurement categories (consulting & professional services category experience is a plus) on a global scale under general supervision (but will work independently most of the time).
• Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view
• Ability to act as a catalyst for change and improvement
• Master’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or Finance is preferred.
• Fifteen or more years’ experience in Sourcing or Procurement related field or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required along with ability to be highly flexible, strategic, collaborative and adaptable to change
• Excellent understanding of procurement philosophies and strategies along with in-depth knowledge of supply chain management and procurement
• Leadership, mentorship and organizational skills are required to develop objectives and goals
• Proficiency in MS Office Suites with advanced Excel skills. Experience with ERP systems/PeopleSoft

Nice To Haves

• MBA or other advanced degree and a professional Procurement/ Supply Chain Management designation (e.g. CSCP, CPM) are a strong plus.
• consulting & professional services category experience is a plus

Responsibilities

• Develops best-in-class procurement and category management practices enterprise-wide, including: effective sourcing and overall procurement strategies; processes and infrastructure to effectively manage procurement activities across all spending categories; sustainable purchasing methods, delegating tactical and administrative tasks as appropriate.
• Works with Category Managers to establish and communicate category strategy and provide updates on adherence to strategy
• Mentors Category Managers on the approach and resources to educate themselves in their industry and expand their knowledge base
• Develops, implements and communicates an overall strategy to meet both the Business Unit's and Corporation's strategic plan
• Establishes periodic strategic reviews with executive leadership to promote top down alignment and best practices with clients
• Leads and manages sourcing events (e.g. Request for Proposal, Request for Information, Request for Quote, Renewals, New Product negotiations) and the sourcing process, including project management, development of RFx, negotiations and award process.
• Responsible for contract review, drafting and creation of various agreements, including NDAs, Master Agreements, Statements of Work, etc. and leading all aspects of contract & price negotiations and ongoing contract administration.
• Responsible for adherence to procurement processes and procedures.
• Supports supplier adherence to contracts, manages suppliers via supplier activity reporting and business/performance reviews, supports supplier scorecards, supplier rationalization and demand management opportunities.
• Supports regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g. OFAC, FCPA, Spend Analysis, Client Relationships).
• Manages reporting of Procurement performance metrics, and provides ongoing support for internal and external audit requests
• Establishes and maintains relationships with key partners, education on policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues.
• Utilizes Contract Management System for systematic organization and classification of contracts.
• Interacts with business and Partners to formulate and implement strategy and solutions to enhance existing services, create new services or improve processes. Identifies impact of changes and processes; facilitates acceptance of change through training and communication. Provides ongoing support for the solution.

Benefits

• Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits.
• Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees