Highlights of the Procurement Leader Position

This is a unique opportunity for a procurement leader to transform a procurement organization for a multi-billion company.  The procurement group has historically been transactional in nature.  The candidate will set the procurement vision, build the team and execute the strategy with significant executive buy in.

Company Information

American Tower (NYSE: AMT) is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless and broadcast communication sites. Our global portfolio includes approximately 39,000 owned or managed sites and is experiencing steady growth. In addition to leasing space on towers, we provide customized collocation solutions through our Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) that support seamless in-building and outdoor wireless coverage.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, American Tower has local offices across the United States and in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Job Location

Northeast US

Key Responsibilities of Procurement Leader Position

• Responsible for developing key metrics to help maximize the efficiency of the Procurement, Vendor Compliance, and Fleet groups.
• Define and implement strategic sourcing methodology ensuring the integrity and objectivity of the process and introduces strategic thinking into a traditional transactional environment (e.g., analyze vendor landscape, reduce vendor fragmentation, perform in source / outsource analyses).  As applicable, implement benefit tracking capabilities.
• Execute complex sourcing transactions including development of bid documents, financial models, and evaluation methodologies and work closely with legal to conduct negotiations and paper agreements
• Partner with business owners to understand their specific procurement needs (both current and upcoming) to develop and execute the applicable sourcing strategies.  Provide sourcing intelligence to business owners formulating their operational strategies.
• Conduct periodic spend diagnostics to assess supplier  capabilities and opportunities to drive efficiencies
• Oversee the rollout of procurement initiatives across the organization (e.g.,  P-cards, contract labor, third party travel management)
• Implement efficient vendor qualification process that manages buyer risk while balancing speed-to-market requirements
• Create and document procurement policies and standards where needed and conduct training as required to ensure compliance
• Implement vendor management program for key relationships to ensure contract compliance, monitor trends, and support performance reporting to business owners; implement diversity spend program to ensure equal opportunities for diverse suppliers.  Track such spend as required to comply with government requirements and to support the pursuit of work with the federal government.
• Establish short and long term organizational objectives and delegate tasks to appropriate team members to achieve desired outcomes.
• Work with senior management within the organization to expand procurement services to various groups within the Company.
• Develop and manage the annual operating budgets for the Procurement departments.  Monitor spending for adherence to budget, recommend variances as necessary.
• Develop relationships, manage expectations and communicate on an informal and formal basis with managers and senior executives across the organization.
• Modify or develop models, systems and databases for improving procurement procedures to meet the needs of the company.
• Create and propose process improvements within Procurement to ensure maximum efficiencies within the team.
• Recommend and implement procurement software to optimize work flow and increase productivity.
• Oversee the Client’s operational library and ensuring that there are ongoing comprehensive audits performed of legacy data.

Essential Qualifications and/or Requirements

• Excellent planning and organizational, communication (written & oral), presentation, problem solving / conflict resolution, and negotiation skills
• Strong management skills
• Ability to work independently in dynamic, unstructured environment
• Self-motivated and self-disciplined with “can-do” attitude and excellent follow-up skills.
• Demonstrated financial and business acumen
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical and creative problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal relationship skills with internal clients and external partners/stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to develop relationships with internal customers, contractors, vendors and direct staff
• Ability to use discretion and work with little supervision
• Have a working knowledge of safety and construction, the National Electric Code and appropriate building and zoning codes
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office
• Bachelor’s degree in business or logistics
• Minimum 10 years of purchasing experience required
• Experience supervising a large team (approximately 25 employees) required

Desired Qualifications

• MBA preferred
• Experience working and coordinating with others in different geographic locations preferred

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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