Strategic Procurement Advisor (Associate Director) - US

Strategic Procurement Advisor

At EY, we're all in to shape your future with confidence. We'll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

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.

Your key responsibilities :

• 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
• Leads efforts with account teams to develop and execute negotiation strategies and activities necessary to achieve revenue growth with new and existing client accounts
• Provides strategic guidance to GCSPs and account managers before and during negotiations for favorable impact; assists and advice 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
• Assess coaching needs, develops and executes training approaches and drives 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
• Directs 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.
• Oversees and collaborates 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
• Partners with account team to sustain and / or expand existing client procurement relationships; understand 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
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to understand clients' procurement needs, objectives, and expectations, and advises teams on how client procurement translates them into strategic procurement strategies
• Acts as a primary point of contact for client Procurement organizations, building and nurturing strong relationships that lead to long-term partnerships and mutual growth
• Leads discussions with client Procurement teams to understand their unique requirements and align our solutions to their business goals
• Conducts thorough market analysis to provide insights to client procurement organizations on emerging trends, potential risks, and opportunities for strategic sourcing
• Leads negotiations with client Procurement teams to secure favorable terms, pricing, and conditions, while maintaining trust and fostering collaboration
• Establishes credible relationships and becomes a trusted advisor to client procurement teams, specifically the CPO
• Provides expert guidance to clients on procurement best practices, supplier selection, contract management, and sustainability initiatives
• Monitors and measures the success of procurement strategies, gathering feedback from client procurement and continuously improving our approach
• Stays informed about industry regulations, compliance requirements, and ethical procurement practices to ensure our engagements adhere to relevant standards

Skills and attributes for success :

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.

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

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).

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

Other requirements :

What we offer you :

At EY, we'll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We'll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $160,000 to $308,000. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $192,000 to $350,000. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.

Join us in our team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client serving roles to work together in person