Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

This position sits within the EM Procurement Team (Middle East, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Israel) responsible for supporting the implementation of procurement best practices within respective categories across multiple regions, including:

• Execution of regional/local procurement activities for respective categories in alignment with the line manager and relevant business partners
• Support the implementation of EM Market and Global category strategies for the responsible categories
• Local/regional procurement representative and subject matter expert, working closely with other cross functional teams including finance and legal teams to deliver and support all areas of supplier life cycle management
• Deliver committed annual Procurement savings targets and other objectives such as increasing payment terms, supply base rationalization, PO automation
• Day to day management and support of the partner GBS Tactical Buyers, supporting the project implementation with local stakeholders, ensuring successful delivery of projects
• Effective stakeholder management to maximize total cost of ownership savings and Procurement’s value contribution
• Realization of supplier relationship management and contract management activities, involvement in full supplier life cycle activities
• Where applicable lead & develop respective team members ensuring optimal performance, motivation & growth

Key Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with Global category and EM market teams to implement and activate contracts within the responsible categories. Contribute to category planning and building sustainable NTP project pipelines to achieve savings targets.
• Deliver procurement strategy implementation and facilitate and promote e-sourcing adoption of the team, leading by example and supporting GBS tactical buyers in their sourcing activities. Execution of defined sourcing initiatives (as per the 7 steps strategic sourcing methodology) & realization of annual savings targets

• Manage contract implementation and contract compliance
• Build credible business relationships and enable business partnering with the relevant key stakeholders, functions, and senior leadership team within the responsible categories
• Act as an escalation point for category issues and drive resolution in line with global / market procurement policies

• Lead supplier development activities, establish cross-functional review meetings with key strategic suppliers in order to improve performance and further cost / demand reductions.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Global / EM Market Procurement team, Global Business Services and tactical buying team, Key Business Stakeholder Functions (Marketing, Facilities, IT, Global Workplaces, Retail etc.), Key Business Partners (Legal, Finance, etc.)
• External: Suppliers & Agencies: Executives, Key Account Managers & Legal Council

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge in strategic sourcing and procurement methodologies and concepts, business partnering and category management (7 steps strategic sourcing, TCO, fact-based negotiations, life cycle of products/services etc.)
• Strong understanding of financial planning, budget management, and savings methodologies and impact
• Strong ability to analyze data, specifications and influence demand
• Strong communication experience
• Developed analytical, presentation, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Ability to operate at pace and respond positively to change
• Action oriented and solution minded team player with high degree of self-management
• Proficiency in MS Office and preferably SAP MM/ SRM & Ariba
• Fluent in English, to a business standard, spoken and written

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• A degree from an accredited college or university (Bsc./Msc.) with emphasis on the areas of business, economics, finance, procurement or legal, or comparable professional education
• CIPS (completed or studying towards)
• Minimum 3+ year experience in a procurement manager role
• Fluent English is essential. Additional language skills are advantageous.