Strategic Procurement Advisor (associate Director) - government Services

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 include: 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; assessing coaching needs, developing and executing training approaches and driving business meetings; overseeing and collaborating with account teams to provide strategic guidance during the development of EY's response to Request for Proposals (RFPs); partnering with account team to sustain and/or expand existing client procurement relationships; collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to understand clients' procurement needs, objectives, and expectations; acting as a primary point of contact for client Procurement organizations; leading discussions with client Procurement teams to understand their unique requirements; conducting thorough market analysis to provide insights to client procurement organizations; leading negotiations with client Procurement teams to secure favorable terms, pricing, and conditions; establishing credible relationships and becoming a trusted advisor to client procurement teams; providing expert guidance to clients on procurement best practices, supplier selection, contract management, and sustainability initiatives; monitoring and measuring the success of procurement strategies; staying informed about industry regulations, compliance requirements, and ethical procurement practices.

Skills and attributes for success include: in-depth experience and understanding of the Procurement landscape; in-depth procurement and negotiations background; knowledge of business and management principles; knowledge of impacting laws, legal codes, and government regulations; strong teaming and negotiating skills; effective communication skills; logical reasoning; keen judgment and decision making skills.

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.

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; in-depth knowledge of procurement best practices, market trends, and client relationship management; speaker at Procurement Industry events and has CPO connections; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; 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.

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 include: depending on client location / regional geography, some travel may be required, as well as attending leadership meetings / training; internal and external obligations may require working after normal business hours; experience leading virtual teams and know how to draw the best from others, embracing differences and encouraging diversity for successful outcomes; strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills.

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. 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 40-60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project or year. Under our flexible vacation policy, you'll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You'll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being. Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today. EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis. For those living in California, please click here for additional information. EY focuses on high-ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.