Location: United States, Remote
Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Exempt
Salary Level: US Starting Salary for this role will be USD $76,800 to $91,200 commensurate on experience.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
Department Summary
The Global Procurement (GP) Team (as part of Global Supply Chain Operations) influences complete Mercy Corps procurement activity by directly supporting HQ functions and in-country operations teams and ensuring compliance with both internal policy and donor regulations. GP establishes and maintains vendor relationships, leads strategic procurement initiatives, and encourages innovation to reduce risk and cost and increase efficiency. Our focus is to also support field teams to increase capabilities through gap assessments and advice plus training on procurement, assets, warehousing, and fleet.
General Position Summary
The Senior Global Procurement Manager is responsible for global procurement categories: Food and Non-Food items, Communication, Vehicles, Infrastructure, Cash, Electronic platforms and technology, Energy, and WASH. The position has the responsibility for the development and maintenance of critical category strategic initiatives and establishing long-term agreements with high-quality vendors to reduce transactional work and negotiate mutually beneficial contractual terms. Specific responsibilities include the development of category strategies, supplier negotiations, identification of cost-saving opportunities, and overall management of supplier relationships. A good proportion of the total category spend, and suppliers will not be managed directly; however, the position holder will need to consider the total spend within the category and provide support and oversight.
The Senior Global Procurement Manager will also be responsible for reviewing and supporting high-value and complex procurements from countries. This will be achieved by collaborating with country procurement teams to ensure compliance with procurement procedures to minimize risk exposure and employing best practices when conducting such procurements.
The Senior Global Procurement Manager will also ensure all procurement is processed organizationally in collaboration with the procurement team to eliminate “shadow” spend and will develop excellent partnerships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and other organizations.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Conduct periodic spend analysis for each of the categories to inform the development of tailored supply strategies and plans for each assigned category.
- Review high-value tenders from countries and offer any needed support when conducting such procurements.
- Conduct market surveys to inform the sourcing and cost containment strategies, risk management in the supply market and advising country programs accordingly.
- Manage strategic sourcing and procurement processes through the establishment of global tenders for framework agreements and expertly negotiate and administer the resulting contracts.
- Work with technical support units to identify the need for master agreements and support for in-country teams based on procurement plans and emerging needs
- Offer advisory support to field/ country programs and HQ teams on implementation and compliance with the relevant procurement policies and procedures including providing training and guidance to internal stakeholders.
- Leading strategic supplier relationship management to continually identify process improvements and cost reduction opportunities.
- Maintain relationships with and provide service to various business functions across the organization including legal, regional/country offices, compliance, and other internal stakeholders.
- Prepare and update Global Procurement reports relating to strategic, complex programs procurements and global contract management systems.
- Providing oversight on high-value and complex procurements for country programs
- Manage strategic sourcing and procurement processes (RFX, RFP)
- Manage procurement-related projects and programs through change and stakeholder management
- Collaborate on the automation transition from a manual procurement function to SAP Ariba SAAS-based procurement operations
Supervisory Responsibility
The Senior Global Procurement Manager has supervisory responsibilities.
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Senior Director, Global Procurement
Works Directly with: HQ Departments primarily Programs (inclusive of MicroMentor, Resource Development, and Ventures), and other teams reporting to our CDO, CMO, and COO, Regional Supply Chain Operations Directors, Country Operations teams, and Country Programs.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and 5+ years of experience in procurement-related field, preferably primarily in direct procurement categories.
- Ability to establish supplier specifications, measure conformance, and identify process improvement opportunities that are defined in conjunction with internal customers is critical to this position
- NGO experience preferred with a thorough understanding of institutional donors’ (USAID, DFID, OFDA, ECHO) policies relating to procurement.
- Proven advanced knowledge of procurement industry cost structures and drivers
- Proven organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to conduct independent research and analysis, perform statistical calculations, identify issues, formulate options, and make recommendations
- Excellent stakeholder communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and contract management skills.
- Ability to provide fact-based advice and development of market and industry analysis
- Ability to multitask productively and prioritize effectively
- Demonstrated openness to change and the ability to manage complexities in a timely, professional, and quality manner
- General knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
- Knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Word and implementing and using procurement systems. SAP Ariba experience would be highly preferable
- Must have proven project management skills and experience with the ability to analyze and resolve complex issues
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, able to collaborate and motivate teams who are globally dispersed
Success Factors
This role will require exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills in utilizing Mercy Corps HQ procurement policies and procedures. Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize will be critical due to the number of projects that will be underway simultaneously.
Supervisory experience will also be key with the management responsibilities and development of team members, a key function of this role.
The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a positive approach, a strong commitment to teamwork and personal accountability, and the ability to be flexible and ensure that effective communication is a priority in all situations.