Job TG774: Contract Services Manager

Closed Purchasing Jobs Jun 2nd, 2010Comments Off on Job TG774: Contract Services Manager

Highlights of Contract Services Manager Position

The Contract Services Manager will provide sourcing knowledge and leadership across a group of contract service requirements.  The position will be responsible for managing the end-to-end sourcing process and executing organization-wide strategies and agreements that deliver cost effective solutions for operational and corporate requirements.  The Sourcing Manager should provide commercial leadership in value management and other initiatives aimed at reducing the Total Cost of Ownership of products and services purchased though Strategic Alliance agreements and Enterprise-Wide Sourcing.  Further functions will include managing Strategic Alliances, customer relationships, identifying and delivering cost savings and being accountable for Procurement/Supply Chain performance metrics for respective service groupings.

Our Client is in the early stages of developing a Sourcing team.  This is a great opportunity to work for a company heavily invested in its employees.  This company promotes from within and has very low turnover.

Job Location

Upper Midwest US

Key Responsibilities of Contract Services Manager Position

  • Lead the implementation and execution of sourcing strategies for a group of contract services focusing on Strategic Alliances and Enterprise-Wide Sourcing
  • Assume sourcing projects involving high levels of complexity involving multiple business units and high value or risk
  • Evaluate supplier capabilities and establish sources for new technologies and in new markets as business requirements dictate
  • Be knowledgeable of trends in market structures and constraints along with tracking cost drivers.  Forecast business conditions while dealing with longer term issues in an environment of risk and uncertainty
  • Assess market conditions by analyzing the buyer community, supplier community, internal competition and barriers to entry.  Apply industry analysis in conjunction with knowledge of the services to assist in the development of sourcing strategies
  • Develop written plans for negotiations, emphasizing detail preparation and innovative approaches
  • Lead negotiations and development of supplier agreements that support sourcing strategies and business objectives
  • Lead sourcing efforts for higher dollar capital projects through collaboration with technical group to meet operational requirements while focusing on reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) on an Net Present Value (NPV) basis
  • Proactively identify and recommend alternative service providers to reduce operating costs, and support corporate cost savings targets
  • Provide guidance to Sourcing Analyst in development of all PowerPoint, Word and Excel based deliverables in the sourcing process including Internal/External Profiles, Strategy, Total Cost of Ownership, RFx documents, Negotiation Worksheets and Implementation Plans
  • Apply policies and procedures to ensure that all sourcing activities comply with company and regulatory directives as well as ensuring compliance with sound contract management and sourcing processes
  • Work collaboratively with external vendors, local Materials Managers, Corporate Accounts Payable and IT personnel in developing and deploying eProcurement processes and improvements.  Provide training and coaching in the use of eProcurement systems.  Coordinate and manage the supplier on-boarding process.
  • Assist in developing, implementing and communicating Client company-wide procurement strategy
  • Monitor and analyze performance metrics for both vendors and internal customers within the category groups to develop and implement improvement plans
  • Develop and track global procurement metrics including areas of spend analytics, benefits capture, requisition to payment process, operational efficiencies, and supplier performance and compare to industry benchmarks
  • Lead supplier qualification and measurement for contract service responsibilities
  • Build and maintain relationships with Client’s internal customers and ensure delivery in accordance with agreed upon terms
  • Communicate vendor selection decisions to impacted employees, their leaders, and Suppliers.  Effectively communicate the impact of sourcing decisions to management and employees as appropriate
  • Ensure category teams share leading practices and lessons learned, use consistent methodologies, and pursue deliverables that are aligned with corporate objectives
  • Provide guidance to Sourcing Analyst on identification of savings opportunities

Qualifications and/or Requirements

  • Bachelors degree in Engineering, Business, or Supply Chain Management (RQ)
  • MBA in Business, Finance, or related field (PF)
  • C.P.M. (PF), CIRM (PF), CPIM (PF)
  • 5 to 10 years professional experience in procurement, engineering, or supply chain management
  • Operational/Industry/Supplier knowledge is preferred
  • Project Management – Organizing & managing projects taking into account priorities, resources, budgets, issues & constraints to achieve desired results; defining clear project scope and objectives; utilizing software and tools (e.g., MS Project, MS Excel, Gantt charts) to plan, track & report status.
  • Strategic Orientation and Thinking – Creating & executing strategic direction in area of responsibility anticipating & visualizing both short- & long-term impacts, consistent with the enterprise’s strategy.
  • Resourcefulness and Flexibility – Challenging the status quo, identifying & pursuing new ideas & opportunities to add value and/or solve problems, & modifying approach & behaviors as necessary to get the desired results. Can adapt work plan to adjust to unforeseen issues or changes in timing, scope, etc.
  • Problem Analysis and Decision Making – Analyzing problems, considering & profiling alternatives, & making timely & balanced recommendations & business decisions.
  • Total Cost of Ownership – Understands key business drivers beyond price (e.g., quality) that determine the total cost of ownership (TCO) of goods / services.
  • Communication Skills – Listening actively to colleagues, internal customers & suppliers to identify key points, & clearly & concisely communicating to others by tailoring to specific situations.
  • Supply Chain Management Foundation – Understanding SCM concepts and cross-functional relationships, including procurement, forecasting, inventory, materials management, warehousing, transportation and payment.
  • Teamwork – Working effectively with others in a team environment, including assuming & executing “fair share” of workload; is flexible and willing to compromise.
  • People Management – Managing and supporting individuals and teams to achieve objectives, effectively delegating and inspiring in the process while providing timely feedback (strengths and developmental areas).
  • Negotiation and Influence – Conferring, influencing and settling situations with a customer / colleague in a professional and positive manner.
  • Financial Analysis – Understanding financial concepts (e.g., time value of money) & cost structures / models, & determining financial impact of decisions.
  • Leadership skills – Role modeling desired behaviors & values, setting direction with vision, & projecting confidence, optimism & energy to others; leading and coaching the team, allowing them to manage their own work.
  • Technical Skills – Skilled in the MS Office suite (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word), experience with business systems such as Ellipse, SAP, etc.
  • Spend and Demand Analysis – Analyzes spend & requirements patterns to identify areas of potential leverage.
  • Industry & Market Analysis – Analyzes the structure & dynamics of industry & specific markets to identify potential suppliers, cost drivers, constraints, strategic levers, etc.
  • Sourcing Strategy Development & Implementation – Blends industry / competitive analysis, business knowledge and procurement expertise to develop sourcing strategies, executes the strategy, measures results, and renews the strategy as market conditions evolve.
  • Supplier Analysis, Screening and Selection – Collects & analyzes quantitative & qualitative information to assess, screen & select suppliers.
  • RFx Development and Execution – Understands when to use an RFP (price & non-price factors) & RFQ (price only), & how to develop, execute & analyze the results.
  • Supplier Negotiation – Prepares, coordinates and conducts negotiations with suppliers.  Negotiates agreements to achieve results that support sourcing strategies and business objectives.
  • Contract Planning and Execution – Understands what type of contracts to use, understands boilerplates, can draft contracts, knows how to work with Legal, tracks execution, & initiates sourcing prior to expiration dates.
  • Change Management – Aligning one’s own work efforts and subordinate’s work efforts quickly to adjust for a business change.  Maintaining an understanding of the dynamics of change and performs and directs a variety of change-related roles.
  • Conflict Management – Managing and effectively resolving the difference in needs, objectives and values for internal customers and colleagues.
  • Risk Management – Analyzing the relative costs, benefits, risks and opportunities associated with various alternatives in order to determine their feasibility, the effect on budget and schedule, and the effect on the quality of products and services.
  • Supplier Relationship Management – Manages supplier relationships by utilising supplier management programs and identifying continuous improvement initiatives.  Tracks supplier performance and provides feedback.  Looks for opportunities to build mutually beneficial business relationships by matching external supplier capabilities with strategic business imperatives.
  • Business Performance Measurement (KPIs) – Accessing, calculating, and understanding key Supply Chain performance indicators in order to determine business performance trends on a timely basis.
  • Safety – Embraces and understands the criticality of safety.
  • Governance/Policies and Procedures – Understanding & applying governance structure, policies & procedures relevant to job, including levels of authority, integrity & ethical behaviors.  (e.g. understanding and applying knowledge of company’s goals and strategies, policies and procedures, organizational structures and alliances).
  • Global and Cultural Alertness – Considering global scope to identify areas of potential collaboration, & working effectively in a diverse / multi-cultural environment & team.
  • Customer Relationship Management – Identifying & managing key internal customer relationships, understanding their needs & expectations, & delivering high service.
  • Product / Service / Commodity Knowledge – Develops knowledge of all products and services to support operations and Supply Chain customers. Develops product / category expertise regarding (a group of) categories that supports the credibility of the sourcing function among internal customers and suppliers.
  • Procure-to-Pay Process – Understands & applies Procure-to-Pay processes to including requisitioning, PO processing and financing activities.

Teldar Group
About the Author:

The Teldar Group is an Executive Search and Recruiting Firm specializing in placing professionals in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain positions.

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