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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management in technology procurement.
- Company: Join Markel, a Fortune 500 company with a global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, extensive benefits, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic sourcing and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This role supports multiple business partners across International and US business lines and leads the development of cost reduction and value creation strategies that align with Markel’s enterprise objectives. The position will partner closely with stakeholders to design, negotiate, and manage technology-driven sourcing solutions while ensuring strong governance over enterprise-wide procurement policies, procedures, and third-party risk controls.
The Global Sr. Procurement Specialist is responsible for providing analytical and strategic sourcing support within the Indirect Services procurement space, with a primary focus on supplier relationship management in the technology space, including SaaS software, professional services, and third-party data through the entire procurement lifecycle from market research to contract execution. The Sr. Procurement Specialist plays a meaningful role in contract negotiation, supplier performance management, issue resolution, and ongoing optimization of technology spend, delivering both tangible financial benefits and long-term strategic value to Markel.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Partner with business stakeholders to understand business requirements and deliver sourcing solutions aligned to Indirect Services and technology categories, including SaaS software, professional services, and third-party data.
- Lead and run competitive RFx processes, including development of requirements, pricing models, financial analysis, and risk assessments for technology and services agreements.
- Identify and deliver cost savings and value creation opportunities through spend analysis and close collaboration with business partners and the Global Procurement team.
- Develop and complete negotiation strategies for technology, software, data, and services contracts, ensuring favourable commercial, legal, and risk outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with Directors and Procurement Analysts to establish, maintain, and renew supplier contracts across Indirect Services categories.
- Measure supplier performance using quantitative metrics related to cost, quality, service levels, and contractual compliance.
- Bring together stakeholder feedback and lead supplier performance reviews, including quarterly business reviews for key technology and services suppliers.
- Develop deep category expertise across assigned Indirect Services spend areas, with an emphasis on technology, software, professional services, and data agreements.
- Lead sourcing activities and supplier onboarding, coordinating due diligence, risk, and compliance processes for new and existing vendors.
- Improve return on investment across third-party technology and services spend while delivering against savings targets and financial objectives.
Our Must-haves
- Experience in strategic sourcing, category management, finance operations, and analytics, with focus on Indirect Services procurement, including technology-driven spend categories.
- Strong contracting and negotiation expertise in technology-related agreements, including SaaS software, professional services, and third-party data contracts.
- Knowledge of third-party supplier contractual provisions to meet regulatory requirements.
- Good understanding of the end-to-end Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process, including requisitioning, sourcing, contracting, supplier onboarding, invoicing, and payment workflows, focusing on process optimization and compliance.
- Experience of using procurement technologies, analytics platforms, and AI-enabled solutions to improve sourcing efficiency, enhance decision-making, and drive measurable business outcomes.
- Ability to partner with cross-functional stakeholders, including IT, Legal, Risk, Finance, and business leadership.
- Strong customer-centric attitude with the ability to build and sustain strategic supplier relationships.
Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory, and investment operations around the world.
What’s In It For You?
- A great starting salary plus annual bonus & strong benefits package.
- 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy/sell extra leave.
- Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance cover, income protection, season ticket loan as well as other great benefits on offer.
- There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career and we can provide the support needed to do just that!
Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
Senior Procurement Specialist employer: Markel
Contact Detail:
Markel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Familiarise yourself with their technology-driven sourcing solutions and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves contract negotiations, being able to demonstrate your expertise in this area during interviews can really set you apart. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Markel.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategic sourcing and technology-driven procurement. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since this role involves a lot of contract negotiation, it’s essential to provide examples of your past successes in this area. We love to see how you’ve navigated complex agreements and delivered favourable outcomes.
Highlight Your Analytical Prowess: We’re looking for someone who can dive deep into data and deliver insights. Make sure to mention any experience you have with spend analysis or using procurement technologies that improved sourcing efficiency.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Markel!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of procurement, especially in technology-driven categories like SaaS and professional services. Familiarise yourself with Markel’s business model and how procurement aligns with their objectives. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand its impact on the company.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you achieved favourable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your strategies for contract negotiation and how you’ve managed supplier relationships. Highlighting your experience with third-party risk controls will also demonstrate your understanding of compliance and governance.
✨Be a Team Player
Markel values collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve partnered with cross-functional teams in the past. Share specific instances where you worked closely with IT, Legal, or Finance to achieve procurement goals. This will illustrate your ability to build strong relationships and work towards common objectives.
✨Quantify Your Achievements
When discussing your previous roles, use metrics to back up your claims. Talk about cost savings you’ve delivered, improvements in supplier performance, or efficiencies gained through procurement technologies. Numbers speak volumes and can set you apart from other candidates.