Senior Procurement Manager

About the Role: We are seeking experienced and knowledgeable Senior Procurement Category Manager (15+ years of experience) to join our network on a project-based or hourly consultation basis. The role involves providing deep expertise in specific spend categories, offering insights into need areas, supplier landscapes, and cost benchmarks. This is an opportunity to work flexibly, contribute to diverse procurement projects, and share your expertise with clients seeking specialized procurement advice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise in one or more spend categories (e.g., IT & Telecom, Facilities Management, Marketing, Travel, Logistics, etc.).
• Analyze and advise on procurement strategies, cost benchmarks, and supplier landscapes for specific product or service segments.
• Assist clients in identifying need areas and aligning procurement solutions with their business objectives.
• Conduct market research and share insights into supplier capabilities, pricing structures, and industry best practices.
• Support supplier negotiations by offering data-driven benchmarks and strategies.
• Participate in consultation calls, workshops, and short-term projects to provide actionable recommendations.

Required Expertise:

• Strong understanding of one or more spend categories, including:
• Supplier landscapes with point on view of quality-price trade-offs across different supplier alternatives
• Typical need areas from a business perspective
• Cost benchmarks for different product/service segments from different types of suppliers.
• Understanding of alternative suppliers in different geographies, where the supplier sourcing has to be local due to the nature of the product or service.
• Experience in sourcing, category management, or procurement consulting.
• Ability to quickly analyze procurement needs and deliver value-driven insights.
• Familiarity with procurement tools, systems, and technologies (e.g., spend analysis, e-sourcing platforms) is a plus.

Qualifications:

• Proven track record in procurement, sourcing, or category management.
• Deep knowledge of industry trends and supplier ecosystems within specific categories.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills to clearly articulate findings and recommendations.
• Bachelors degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related fields; relevant certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) are a plus.