Strategic Procurement Advisor (Associate Director) - US

Strategic Procurement Advisor

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The Opportunity

The Strategic Procurement Advisor (SPA) creates and drives strategic relationships with client procurement teams, specifically the CPO, to positively position EY for competitive and sole source revenue generating opportunities and other account expansion activities. The SPA develops relationships with client procurement, at strategic and tactical levels as required, to become the "go-to EY resource" for influencing client procurement. By positively influencing client procurement teams, the SPA will assist the Global Client Services Partner (GCSP), Client Executive (CE), and other Service Line and Sector leaders to better understand the client procurement organization, its processes and nuances, and bridge gaps in communication required to successfully close new business opportunities. Sample activities for the SPA include face-to-face relationship building opportunities with clients including C-level client roles, participating in account planning workshops, virtual networking with client procurement teams and timely introductions of new offerings throughout the client ecosystem leveraging client procurement introductions. With a focus on the most complex deals and / or business situations, the SPA will collaborate with the Pursuit & Commercial Excellence (P&CE) teams, account teams, CEs, and GCSPs to support new and existing key client relationships. A key element of the SPA role is to have the ability to thrive in new and unfamiliar environments, as each client situation is different, and navigate the client's behavior and tactics to drive business development through strategic influence of client procurement. The SPA over time acts as EY's "Client Procurement Whisperer."

Your Key Responsibilities

The SPA is responsible for :

• Collaboration with P&CE leaders, GCSPs and account managers to help develop a plan that prioritizes accounts and opportunities where SPA's services can help to drive revenue and improve profitability through client procurement relationships
• Leading efforts with account teams to develop and execute negotiation strategies and activities necessary to achieve revenue growth with new and existing client accounts
• Providing strategic guidance to GCSPs and account managers before and during negotiations for favorable impact; assisting and advising on account related tangibles, such as Master Services Agreements (MSA), Rate Cards, Preferred Provider Programs, Supplier Enabled Innovation, etc. detailing essential information related to scope of services and associated terms and conditions
• Assessing coaching needs, developing and executing training approaches and driving business meetings to develop partners, engagement leads and other account team members regarding key negotiating talents needed to support the pursuit and to win the client engagement
• Directing internal training sessions / workshops for diverse audiences within P&CE, Sector, and Service Lines; assorted topics could include collaboration with P&CE SPI Group, P&CE Negotiations Group and others for overview / service offerings, negotiation preparation / strategies, coaching on client discussion (e.g., script writing), contractual terms and conditions development strategies, etc.
• Overseeing and collaborating with account teams to provide strategic guidance during the development of EY's response to Request for Proposals (RFPs) leveraging intelligence gleaned through client procurement channels
• Partnering with account team to sustain and / or expand existing client procurement relationships; understanding client expectations by developing key onsite relationships with senior level client executives, understanding the client decision-making process and helping them see how EY is supporting them
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to understand clients' procurement needs, objectives, and expectations, and advising teams on how client procurement translates them into strategic procurement strategies
• Acting as a primary point of contact for client procurement organizations, building and nurturing strong relationships that lead to long-term partnerships and mutual growth
• Leading discussions with client procurement teams to understand their unique requirements and align our solutions to their business goals
• Conducting thorough market analysis to provide insights to client procurement organizations on emerging trends, potential risks, and opportunities for strategic sourcing
• Leading negotiations with client procurement teams to secure favorable terms, pricing, and conditions, while maintaining trust and fostering collaboration
• Establishing credible relationships and becoming a trusted advisor to client procurement teams, specifically the CPO
• Providing expert guidance to clients on procurement best practices, supplier selection, contract management, and sustainability initiatives
• Monitoring and measuring the success of procurement strategies, gathering feedback from client procurement and continuously improving our approach
• Staying informed about industry regulations, compliance requirements, and ethical procurement practices to ensure our engagements adhere to relevant standards

Skills and Attributes for Success

Ideally, you'll also have :

What We Look For

We are looking for you to make a significant contribution to Deal Activation in America. You will bring new thinking, energy and enthusiasm alongside expertise in deal management to a team that's contributing to EY's new global strategy. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Strategic Procurement Advisor (SPA) to join our team, focusing on client engagement and interactions with client Procurement organizations. As a Strategic Procurement Advisor, you will serve as a key liaison between our organization and our clients, ensuring seamless collaboration, strategic alignment, and exceptional client service. Leveraging your expertise in procurement, negotiation, and client relationship management, you will play a critical role in driving successful interactions with client Procurement teams. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to our clients' success while influencing our organization's growth through strategic procurement advisory. We foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences and influencing successful outcomes, we invite you to join us in shaping our clients' and organization's future success.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and Business Development with a proven track record of successful client engagement

Preferred Qualifications

Exceptional negotiation skills, with the ability to lead high-stakes negotiations and maintain collaborative relationships with client Procurement teams

In-depth knowledge of procurement of best practices, market trends, and client relationship management

Speaker at Procurement Industry events and has CPO connections

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse stakeholders

Proficiency in procurement software and tools, as well as Microsoft Office Suite

A customer-focused mindset with a commitment to exceeding client expectations

Demonstrated commitment to ethical procurement practices and sustainability initiatives

Proven ability to work in a collaborative environment and build strong relationships internally and externally

Previous experience in consulting or advisory roles

Client negotiation and / or business development experience in the professional services and solutions arena, a proven record for negotiating and selling complex services and solutions at the "C-suite" level of mid to large size companies

Experience working in a large complex global organization

Experience leading and managing high-performance teams

Candidates should possess experience in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and applications, demonstrating the ability to leverage AI tools to enhance business processes and decision-making.

Proven ability to influence and build collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BS) degree (in related discipline, I.E., Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field recommended)

Advanced degree preferred (I.E., Masters)

Certifications

Purchasing / Procurement certification or relevant certification (e.g., CSCP, CPSM) is preferred

Other Requirements

Depending on client location / regional geography, some travel may be required, as