Senior Lead, Procurement

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

**Job summary**:
The Senior Lead, Procurement will lead the development and establishment of the procurement function from the ground up, creating and implementing a strategic sourcing strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and financial objectives. This role requires a skilled professional with experience in procurement, vendor management, and strategic sourcing, ideally with exposure to building procurement processes and teams within a growing company.

**Main tasks & responsibilities**:

- **Procurement Strategy Development**:

- Design and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy that meets the company's operational needs and financial targets.
- Develop policies, procedures, and best practices to drive consistent and efficient procurement processes across the organization.
- Align procurement strategy with broader business objectives, driving cost savings and value creation.
- **Process and Function Building**:

- Build, establish, and lead the procurement function, including policies, workflows, and governance frameworks.
- Create and manage a robust supplier management process, ensuring high-quality vendor selection and performance.
- Implement sourcing strategies to optimize supplier relationships, pricing, and contract terms.
- **Team Leadership and Development**:

- Recruit, develop, and manage a team of procurement professionals, providing mentorship and performance feedback.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation within the procurement team.
- Define key performance metrics for the procurement team and ensure targets are met.
- **Vendor and Supplier Management**:

- Establish strong vendor relationships and lead contract negotiations to achieve optimal terms and conditions.
- Implement a supplier performance monitoring system to ensure high standards for quality, delivery, and cost-effectiveness.
- Develop and manage strategic partnerships with key suppliers, identifying opportunities for collaboration and improvement.
- **Cost Management and Optimization**:

- Identify and execute cost-saving opportunities through effective sourcing and negotiation practices.
- Analyze procurement spending data and conduct market research to make informed purchasing decisions.
- Collaborate with finance and operational teams to forecast and budget for procurement needs.
- **Compliance and Risk Management**:

- Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies related to procurement and vendor management.
- Identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain, including supplier reliability, pricing fluctuations, and compliance issues.
- Conduct regular audits of procurement practices to ensure adherence to policies and continuous improvement.
- **Cross-Functional Collaboration**:

- Partner with various departments (e.g., finance, operations, and legal) to understand and support their procurement needs.
- Act as a key advisor to senior leadership on procurement strategy and cost optimization.
- Support the development of a culture of responsible procurement across the organization.

**Requirements**:
**Education**: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

**Experience**: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, or strategic sourcing, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership role.

**Certifications**: Relevant certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) are highly desirable.

**Skills**:

- Experience in building and leading procurement functions within a growing organization.
- Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to use data for decision-making.
- Proficiency in procurement software and ERP systems.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work cross-functionally and with external partners.
- Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of building and developing teams.

**What we offer**:
At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

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