Senior Procurement Manager - Technology at The Economist… · London -…

We are looking for an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to take a leading role in the management of our technology spend and supplier landscape. With responsibility for supporting approximately £13 million of technology spend, this is a senior and influential role requiring deep technology procurement expertise, strong commercial judgement and the confidence to work closely with senior stakeholders across the business.

We are looking for someone who understands technology procurement beyond the sourcing process: someone who can build a detailed understanding of our technology portfolio and roadmap, anticipate future requirements and help shape commercial decisions before they are made.

The role

As Senior Procurement Manager, you will be a trusted partner to our Technology teams, helping us get the greatest possible value from our suppliers and investments.

You will build strong relationships across the organisation, developing a clear understanding of our technology strategy, existing vendor landscape and supplier lifecycles. You will use that knowledge to identify opportunities, anticipate upcoming requirements and influence decisions through commercial insight and market expertise.

You will also take ownership of strategic sourcing and vendor management across your categories, from identifying requirements and going to market through to negotiation, contracting and ongoing supplier relationship management.

How you will contribute

• Develop and implement technology sourcing and category strategies in partnership with internal stakeholders, creating robust plans aligned with The Economist Group’s priorities and ambitions.
• Lead complex and high-value sourcing activity, ensuring we secure high-quality products and services on commercially competitive terms.
• Develop a deep understanding of our technology portfolio, roadmap and vendor landscape, allowing Procurement to anticipate requirements rather than simply respond to them.
• Build trusted relationships with Technology and other stakeholders, using your expertise to influence decisions and challenge constructively where appropriate.
• Take a proactive approach to existing vendors, contracts and supplier lifecycles, identifying opportunities and risks well ahead of renewal or sourcing decisions.
• Lead strategic vendor and supplier relationship management following contract award, working with stakeholders to maximise value and supplier performance.
• Identify and deliver sustainable commercial savings while considering the wider value, quality and risk associated with our strategic supply base.
• Provide practical procurement guidance for lower-value delegated purchasing, helping colleagues make informed commercial decisions.
• Work closely with colleagues in Finance, Legal and other functions to improve shared processes and create greater cross-functional efficiency.
• Contribute to initiatives designed to strengthen and develop the Procurement function and its capabilities.

The experience we are looking for

You will be an established procurement professional with a strong specialism in technology procurement and experience working across the full procurement lifecycle.

You will bring:

• At least five years’ experience across procurement, technology sourcing and vendor management.
• Proven experience leading sourcing activity on a global scale, with a track record of delivering meaningful commercial benefits.
• Strong knowledge of technology categories, markets and vendors, with the ability to turn that knowledge into practical commercial recommendations.
• Excellent commercial judgement and strong negotiation skills.
• Significant supplier and contract management experience, including building productive and trusted vendor relationships while proactively managing commercial and operational risk.
• Confidence working across the full procurement lifecycle, from category planning and sourcing through to contracting and ongoing supplier management.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the confidence to challenge established thinking and influence technology decisions.
• The ability to make complex commercial issues clear and accessible to different audiences.
• A strong understanding of commercial and contracting models and the different levers available to maximise value.
• A proactive and pragmatic approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines while working effectively as part of a wider team.

Experience within a commercial or private-sector environment is essential for this role. We are looking for someone comfortable operating in an environment where sound judgement, flexibility and pace matter, rather than relying on highly prescribed procurement processes.

What will make you successful

You will be someone who wants to understand the technology you are procuring, the problems it solves and where the organisation is heading next.

You will be comfortable moving between strategic conversations with senior stakeholders and detailed negotiations with suppliers. You will know when to challenge, when to listen and how to bring commercial discipline to decisions without creating unnecessary complexity.

Above all, you will see Procurement as a business partner: a function that can influence decisions, manage risk and create value well beyond the point of purchase.

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