Sourcing Professional Services

About Chain IQ

Chain IQ is an Independent Global Indirect Procurement company providing strategic, tactical, and operational procurement services. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Chain IQ operates from 6 main centres and 14 offices worldwide. Our team of experts work to transform procurement within an organization utilizing our market knowledge and insights supported by innovative technology to drive procurement efficiencies. We apply the latest risk, sustainability, and social responsibility practices to strengthen procurement resilience. Chain IQ’s approach to ESG supports ethical operations, business standards and bio-diversity whilst minimizing environmental impact.

The wider Sourcing team in the UK consists of sourcing professionals covering all indirect spend categories for our Clients. The team provides Clients with a range of sourcing services covering the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle, dependent on their needs, including market analysis, running market tenders, contract negotiation and contract drafting. Each member of the team works on multiple Client projects simultaneously, in both a client-facing and supplier-facing role, working on both regional sourcing projects as well as global initiatives.

The primary purpose of the function is to deliver value-add sourcing services to Clients, in a structured, professional and consistent manner. The scope of the role relates to the indirect spend of clients across the categories of Consultancy, Audit, Tax and other professional services categories. The Expert needs to be a dynamic, highly client-focused individual with proven experience ideally across multiple categories, but minimally with deep expertise specifically in Professional Services. The individual will have experience in working with the main suppliers both in the UK and globally of Professional Services. Experience of working in a Big 4 Management Consultancy is desirable.

The individual will be responsible for delivering sourcing initiatives covering the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle and will need to have a global awareness of the different markets for the provision of services. The Expert will need to be confident in engaging with senior stakeholders and be experienced in working as part of a cross-functional team to deliver a range of projects including complex large-scale projects as well as smaller projects, as the work covers a mix of both.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders
• Leading assigned sourcing initiatives, which vary in terms of scope and scale from routine renewals to more strategic purchases, under own initiative with minimal oversight required
• Conducting market tenders and managing the evaluation across a cross-functional team to determine supplier selection
• Understanding business requirements and structuring deals to meet those requirements
• Negotiating deals to achieve optimal commercial terms
• Drafting contracts based on standard terms and conditions
• Leading cross-functional deal teams and liaising with senior stakeholders
• Building relationships with key suppliers
• Maintaining market awareness for assigned categories, leveraging experience to contribute to sourcing area plans and opportunity assessments
• Adhering to the Chain IQ corporate standards, including using the defined sourcing tools and processes in delivery of sourcing initiatives
• Identifying and implementing opportunities to deliver savings for Clients and drive benefits through smarter/efficient sourcing
• Mentoring/coaching less experienced team members and supporting them in more complex deals as required

Requirements:

• Educated to University standard or equivalent – MCIPS desirable
• Minimum 5-10 years experience in sourcing across specific categories
• Demonstrates proven market knowledge of Professional Services, with skills to apply knowledge to drive maximum value for clients
• Proven capability of running large multi-million / complex global deals, including all aspects of the tender process
• Hands-on approach for deal execution, manage deals end to end on their own with minimal oversight
• Highly organised and results driven, can lead a cross-functional team
• Client/stakeholder focus within the corporate environment with the gravitas to influence senior stakeholders
• Experienced negotiator and excellent communication skills
• Ability to structure complex deals and develop sourcing strategies
• Experience in understanding contracts and ability in contract drafting, with limited requirement for specialist legal support
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, often to tight deadlines, and deliver results
• Experience in working with market leading sourcing tools and systems
• Professional team player, motivated and highly flexible

We are Great Place To Work certified in Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Romania, Poland and China. We proudly offer a first-class benefits package to all employees, so come and join Chain IQ and become part of an innovative, inspiring, and high-performing team of entrepreneurs, who are globally connected and locally anchored.

Please let us know if you require any assistance during the recruitment process so that we can work with you to meet your needs. Furthermore, please be advised that if you submit an application to us for this position, your application and personal details will be processed in accordance with our Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates.

Important notice to Employment Businesses/Agencies: CHAIN IQ does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact our CHAIN IQ recruitment team to obtain prior written authorisation before referring any candidates. In the absence of such written authorisation being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of CHAIN IQ. CHAIN IQ shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.