Strategic Sourcing Professional Services Category Lead

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, and opportunities for employee engagement. The foundation is committed to fostering a supportive work environment that promotes both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Strategic Sourcing Professional Services Category Lead will be an integral part of the Global Financial & Accounting Services (GFAS) team, which is focused on providing innovative global business solutions in various financial operations. This role involves strategic sourcing, category management, vendor management, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategic procurement, particularly in management consulting and professional services, and will be responsible for managing contracts, running RFPs, and collaborating with various internal teams to streamline the sourcing process. The position requires a self-starter who can manage multiple responsibilities and produce high-quality work while effectively communicating and influencing stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Strategic Sourcing Professional Services Category Lead include leading program category management across the foundation, developing strategies for professional services, orchestrating change management processes, partnering with business owners on RFPs and contract renewals, building relationships with legal partners, collaborating with internal teams to define project requirements, leveraging data for decision-making, establishing key performance indicators, facilitating vendor performance discussions, educating partners on the sourcing process, and developing reporting tools and templates to enhance team effectiveness. The role also involves supporting contract reviews and discussions with vendors and partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, along with a minimum of 7 years of combined procurement experience, particularly in sourcing and procurement. Strong negotiating, contracting, and category management skills are essential. Familiarity with systems such as Coupa, D&B, DocuSign, Concur, and Dynamics is required. An analytical mindset with the ability to provide actionable insights through data analysis is crucial. Candidates should be comfortable using AI tools and must demonstrate strong service excellence, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Experience in vendor discovery and contract negotiation, as well as a collaborative approach to working across business functions, is necessary.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree is required, with a preference for candidates holding an MBA or an advanced degree in relevant fields such as Business, Economics, or Sciences. The educational background should support the candidate's ability to understand complex procurement processes and contribute effectively to the strategic sourcing function.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in procurement, with a strong focus on strategic sourcing and category management. Experience in management consulting and professional services is particularly valuable, as is a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with legal teams to negotiate and execute vendor contracts. The role requires a proven track record of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and successfully presenting to various audiences, including executive-level stakeholders.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the role and the organization’s global operations. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Seattle, and applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is between $127,400 and $191,200 USD, with specific adjustments for high-wage markets like Seattle and Washington D.C., where the range is $138,900 to $208,300 USD. The organization emphasizes a balance between competitive pay and its mission-driven focus. New hires typically start within the range minimum and midpoint, depending on their skills and experience. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and the organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.