To develop and execute commercial procurement strategies that create a competitive advantage across DS Smith.

The Group Procurement Function is accountable for:

• Shaping and aligning the Procurement strategy to support the achievement of business goals including growth, innovation, ESG (inc Scope 3) and manufacturing excellence
• Partnering with stakeholders to ensuring the function competitively sources quality products and supplier services whilst maintaining and building strong relationships with strategic suppliers in line with group Innovation, ESG and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals
• Partnering differently across the value chain to create innovative business offerings that delight our customers and support business growth.

The Procurement Operations Specialist, reporting to a Procurement Operations Manager, works collaboratively with stakeholders across the business, and is responsible for c.$70m spend across IGS & CapEx . Key stakeholders are across the group, regions and key functions including: Operations, Legal, Finance, Packaging Division & Innovation

This role shall partner with key stakeholders to co create and align on the optimal ‘segmentation and management model’ for IGS and CapEx in order to maximize value and support business goals.

Key Accountabilities

Strategy and Vision

• Develop and implement 1-3 year supplier category strategies, supported by execution roadmaps to deliver this strategy with short, medium and long term initiatives. Ensure strategies explore all key value levers – supply and demand. Alignment with Regional procurement on strategies and accountability for delivery of the execution plan.
• Develop long-term, integrated category strategies that drive holistic supplier performance. These strategies include value creation across multiple dimensions, including cost, innovation, top line performance and sustainability (ESG) leadership.

Markets and Risk

• For the spend portfolio, understanding and responding to market intelligence and economic fundamentals to leverage the optimal time to go to market for pricing and value.
• Delivering supplier strategies which actively anticipate and reduce supplier risk (eg sole supplier risk, financial health, data privacy, information security, modern slavery) and secure competitive supply. Partnering with group stakeholders and Procurement Excellence Teams to understand and embed agreed risk standards across portfolio.

Contracting

• Ensuring appropriate Supplier contracting strategies are in place across the portfolio to mitigate legal and regulatory exposure.
• • Ensure a robust strategy across the portfolio, to embed and ensure accountability on relevant Supplier KPIs.
  • Ensure there is an aligned approach for managing relevant contracts with business stakeholders and Regional Procurement teams.

  Portfolio Management

  • Oversee the delivery of the portfolio initiatives. These projects could apply a variety of strategies and levers including; tendering, e-auctions and cost negotiations, price benchmarking, supplier consolidation and rationalisation, make vs buy or lease, demand and policy levers, price negotiations to support changes and growth etc
  • Management of large scale supplier market tender approaches and negotiations end to end.

  Supplier Relationship and Performance Management

  • Ensure relevant Supplier Performance and Relationship Management processes and priorities are in place and aligned with business stakeholders and Regional Procurement teams.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers. Ensure supplier reviews are conducted at appropriate frequencies as agreed with stakeholders.
  • Ensure that Strategic Suppliers have ‘top to top’ meetings and governance in place and aligned with business stakeholders.

  Stakeholder Engagement / Business Partnering

  • Build relationships across the procurement community, Procurement Leadership Team and with key stakeholders.
  Represent the Function on Procurement topics in cross functional forums.

Qualities/Attributes

Functional Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management and business acumen.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage complex end to end negotiations.

Leadership / Behavioural Competencies

• Delivery of results: Ability to deliver to agreed savings and value targets.
• Problem solving: Ability to use information, analysis and insights to identify and unlock opportunities across the supply base.
• Programme delivery: Ability to execute a portfolio of strategic and tactical procurement initiatives.
• • Prioritization skills: Ability to independently prioritise work and deliver procurement initiatives.
  • Communication and Influencing: Ability to build strong trusting relationships with cross functional and cross geographical stakeholders.
  • Ability to tailor the communication style and tell a story.
  • Strong relationship management skills.

  Other Skills and Competencies

  Fluency in English. Fluency in another European language where DS Smith has a presence would be an advantage.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Degree level or equivalent by experience. Bachelor's degree
• Deep knowledge and experience in procurement: Minimum 3 years experience in a Procurement Category role.
• Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.
• Experience in managing a range of complex procurement sourcing and contracting negotiations.
• Demonstrable track record in influencing in a matrix environment.
• Strong analytical and story telling skills.

Strong communication skills with ability to influence in a matrix environment

Experience

• Minimum 3 years experience in a Procurement Category role.

Education

• Bachelors or better