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- Tasks: Drive cost savings and build strong relationships while shaping procurement strategies.
- Company: Join St. James's Place, an inclusive employer supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Become a trusted adviser and make a real impact in procurement initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage across various business areas.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of MyGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
The Role:
Are you passionate about driving cost savings, building strong stakeholder relationships, and shaping procurement strategies? We're looking for a dynamic professional to become a trusted adviser within SJP, spearheading our Professional Services procurement initiatives to unlock maximum value.
As our key Procurement Partner, you will lead strategic initiatives, collaborate with the Category Lead to design and implement procurement strategies across various spend areas, including Consulting & Advisory Services and Professional Services such as Legal, Tax and Audit.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Strategy Implementation: Working for the Category Lead to ensure that the strategy set for the category is implemented and maintained across SJP.
- Cost Optimisation and Savings: Negotiate favourable commercial terms with key providers, identify and deliver opportunities for cost savings and increased ROI. Support the implementation of a cost-control approach across the category and use benchmarking to regularly test price competitiveness.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate across SJP directorates to implement the category strategy and identify opportunities for improvement (cost/value/supplier performance) with the business.
- Sourcing and Negotiation: Responsible for sourcing events including RFIs, RFPs, contract negotiation and the choice of suppliers for the category. Apply negotiation strategies to help with the selection of suppliers.
- Risk Management: Escalate risks to the strategy or suppliers to the Category Lead.
- Reporting & Analytics: Feed into KPI reporting to monitor the effectiveness of procurement activities.
Who we're looking for:
You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a forward-thinking procurement professional with a passion for understanding market trends, innovative technologies, and best practices in indirect procurement. With hands-on experience in procurement and category management within indirect spend categories, you’ll have a successful track record in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships, including:
- Proven expertise in managing Consulting and Professional Services spend.
- Strong skills in negotiating MSA's, rate cards and volume discount structures.
- Understanding of value drivers in professional services contracts, with the ability to ensure value is contracted in.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills for influencing decision-makers and fostering collaboration.
- CIPS qualification or equivalent experience.
- Experience with risk management in procurement is advantageous.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and a proactive mindset.
Strategic Procurement Partner for Professional Services in Cirencester employer: myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community
Contact Detail:
myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Procurement Partner for Professional Services in Cirencester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the hunt for a role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at St. James's Place or similar companies.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and think about how your skills can add value. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves sourcing and contract negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Procurement Partner for Professional Services in Cirencester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Strategic Procurement Partner role. Highlight your expertise in managing Consulting and Professional Services spend, as well as your negotiation successes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about procurement and how you can drive cost savings at SJP. Share specific examples of your past achievements in stakeholder engagement and strategy implementation.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves building strong relationships, demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and don’t shy away from sharing how you've influenced decision-makers in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. This way, we can ensure your application is reviewed promptly and you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community
✨Know Your Procurement Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on the latest procurement strategies and trends, especially in professional services. Be ready to discuss how you can implement these strategies at St. James's Place and demonstrate your understanding of cost optimisation and stakeholder engagement.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight your experience with MSAs, rate cards, and volume discounts. This will show that you have the hands-on experience needed for the role and can drive value for the company.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you can foster collaboration across different directorates. During the interview, share your approach to building strong relationships with stakeholders and how you've successfully engaged them in previous roles to implement category strategies.
✨Be Ready for Risk Management Questions
Since risk management is a key part of the role, prepare to discuss how you've identified and escalated risks in past procurement activities. Show that you understand the importance of mitigating risks while still achieving procurement goals.