The Senior Director leads the procurement function for Save the Children US. He/she is responsible for overseeing implementation of the agency’s procurement policy and leading efforts to streamline procedures to enable business unit budget holders to maximize the value they receive from suppliers to meet their objectives. The main purpose of the role is to formulate and drive a consistent approach towards all sourcing, purchasing, and tendering activity within the business, ultimately ensuring that value for money is maximized and cost savings are generated. The Senior Director will work with each business unit to lead direct and indirect sourcing and procurement efforts including demand / stakeholder management, supply analysis/strategy, supplier identification, sourcing execution (tendering), contract negotiation, delivery planning and monitoring, and purchase execution. He/she will establish relationships with senior-most budget holders to ensure that procurement gets aligned with their particular objectives, and to enlist their support in participating in supply base improvement efforts. He/She will work in partnership with budget holders to change the procurement culture across all levels of the business.
- Development of an organizational procurement strategy, including structured governance and planning processes and short, mid, and long term goals and objectives (20%)
- Creation of a small Procurement Center of Excellence (CoE) to help transform the function and support broader transformation of the value chain, including increased spend visibility with senior management (5%)
- Oversight of professional and support staff (CoE) in overseeing complex purchasing transactions involving competitive solicitations and negotiations (5%)
- Evaluates current practices and procedures and implements plans for improving efficiencies in the procurement process (20%)
- Institutionalization of best-practice based processes (e.g., contract management, strategic sourcing) (5%)
- Support the business in its endeavors to monitor suppliers’ performance in line with established KPIs, contractual obligations and service level agreements (5%)
- Effectively engage with departmental budget holders about the value of robust procurement initiatives and ensure adequate internal training and processes are understood and best practices adhered to (5%)
- To assist Finance and budget holders with the annual budget process ensuring accurate costs are scrutinized and budgeted accordingly (5%)
- Oversee vendor account analysis and consolidation (5%)
- Leadership of direct and cross-functional procurement staff, including skills and competency development and knowledge management capabilities (10%)
- Identification and realization of cost-saving and cost-reduction opportunities, including development of performance metrics and targets (10%)
- Budget management for categories under management – and for procurement itself (5%)
- At least 10-15 years of senior supply management experience or operational management experience in finance procurement function.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in a complex environment and experience leading multiple teams-both direct staff and indirect project teams
- Proven track record of embedding procurement processes and identifying and delivering cost savings
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with internal contacts with business units and functional partners like IT, fundraising, program operations, HR, legal, etc.
- Strong negotiation skills, strategic mindset and problem-solving skills
- Experience working with P2P, Contract Management and eSourcing tools Solid operational management and general business skills and savvy
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that allow the Senior Director to get the “voice of the internal customer” and to understand Save the Children’s culture and how to best communicate (“sell”) Procurement’s value
- In-depth knowledge of sourcing and procurement principles and best practices
- Familiarity with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as understanding of standard contractual terms and conditions to mitigate legal risk
- Change management skills and self-awareness to take varying approaches with a dynamic set of stakeholders (e.g., expert model vs. facilitative model)
Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we are dedicated to ensuring every child has the best chance for success. Our pioneering programs give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Our advocacy efforts provide a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. As the leading expert on children, we inspire and achieve lasting impact for millions of the world's most vulnerable girls and boys. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.
Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. All Save the Children Representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of Child Abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of Child Abuse. All Save the Children Representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation. Any violations of this policy will be treated as a serious issue.
Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.