What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Sourcing & Category Management Consultant position at Harvard Partners Trusted IT Advisors?
As the Strategic Sourcing & Category Management Consultant, you will be responsible for the following:
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management:
- Lead sourcing initiatives for assigned categories, including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
- Execute category strategies aligned with business objectives, focusing on cost optimization, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and value creation.
- Conduct spend analysis, supplier evaluations, market research, and benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities.
- Lead supplier negotiations and support contract development and execution in partnership with Legal and business stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while driving continuous improvement and innovation.
Procurement Operations & Process Excellence:
- Support the adoption and optimization of the SAP Ariba procurement platform, leveraging system capabilities to improve efficiency, compliance, and user experience.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Continuously evaluate and improve procurement workflows through digital solutions, process innovation, and automation.
- Support supplier onboarding, procurement governance, and operational improvement initiatives as needed.
- Assist in resolving procurement-related issues through collaboration with Finance, Accounts Payable, IT, Legal, ERP, and business teams.
Governance, Compliance & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procurement procedures, industry regulations, delegated authority requirements, and SOX controls.
- Partner closely with Operations, Finance, Legal, and business leaders to align procurement activities with organizational goals.
- Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives and facilitate stakeholder alignment throughout the procurement process.
- Represent Procurement in strategic projects and transformation initiatives across US and European markets.
- Develop and deliver training, guidance, and best practices to support procurement process adoption and compliance.
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, or a related field required.
Experience:
- 5 years of progressive procurement and strategic sourcing experience, including category management, supplier negotiations, competitive sourcing events, contract management, and stakeholder engagement.
- Preferred: 7 years in procurement and exposure to global markets (US and/or Europe).
- Experience working in cross-functional environments and driving initiatives with Finance, Legal, Operations, and business stakeholders.
- Strong knowledge of supplier management, contract management, SOX compliance, and valuation analysis.
Technical Skills:
- Experience with SAP Ariba and ERP systems.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, spend analysis, pivot tables, lookups, and reporting.
- Working knowledge of procurement controls and SOX compliance requirements.
- Experience supporting procurement activities across multiple regions, preferably the U.S. and Europe.
- Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
Soft Skills & Success Profile:
- Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
- Ability to lead sourcing initiatives and work independently with business stakeholders.
- Demonstrates ownership, accountability, and a proactive approach to problem solving.
- Comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Effective communicator with the ability to build relationships across Procurement, Finance, Legal, and business teams.