Director Procurement & Vendor Management

at DLA Piper in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary? ???

As a Director of Procurement Vendor Management, you will be responsible for setting and maintaining procurement policies and procedures to ensure cost-effective purchases of all materials and services while ensuring quality control and compliance with all the firm’s policies and procedures, overseeing the day-to-day procurement functions, and ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation. You’ll work closely with senior firm and department leaders to develop strategic approaches and implementation plans for proposed initiatives and for large/complex approved projects. You will support senior leaders/managers with the development of business cases for proposed solutions. You will also manage functions/departments of the firm that are often aligned with management of the procurement department, e.g. travel, sports tickets, real estate. Responsibilities for these associated functions may change over time.

Location ???

This position can be remote.

Responsibilities ???

+ Provides leadership to and manages a team of business professionals to include coaching, mentoring and professional development. Responsible for providing performance feedback on a regular basis.

+ Jointly determine and execute on vendor management strategies aligned with firm priorities with the outsourced leadership

+ Promote vendor management goals and activities to firm leadership and end users

+ Provide oversight of the outsourced vendor management team as they conduct vendor management activities

+ Assist in establishing productive relationships and navigating cultural dynamics between firm leaders, business services stakeholders and outsourced vendor management function

+ Establishes working relationship with business unit leads and assesses their purchasing needs to help support and strengthen stakeholder engagement with procurement processes and development of strategic purchasing strategies

+ Effectively identify and mitigate potential roadblocks or conflicts, both internally and externally

+ Ensure effective vendor management service delivery that meets firm leadership expectations and contractual commitments

+ Proactively seek and identify opportunities to expand the scope of vendor management or determine the need for special projects, as available

+ Oversee development and implementation of measurement tools and tracking to monitor performance, analyze outcomes and efficiency, and report to firm leadership

+ Continue to mature and develop programs within procurement, such as supplier diversity and sustainability, that support the firm’s business responsibilities and goals

+ Assist with communication and rollout of policies and procedures developed by outsourced vendor management function to key business services stakeholders

+ Manage other firm projects and other duties as assigned

Desired Skills ????

Five plus years’ procurement / vendor management experience. Experience working with outsourced support staff in a Professional Services organization (such as law firm, consulting, or accounting firm) desired. Select procurement category expertise preferred. Excellent board-ready communication skills required, including oral and formal written and presentation skills. Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking aptitude and ability to create innovative solutions. The ideal candidate is also a self-starter with the ability to prioritize in a multi-tasking environment. They have a commitment to superior quality and accuracy and a willingness to learn and adapt to change. They have experience creating and presenting analysis to be used in business decisions while demonstrating strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work effectively with internal stakeholders, vendors, and support staff with strong interpersonal skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Minimum Education ???

+ Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Economics, Management, or related field.

Certificates

+ Formal training in procurement as part of degree or certification program highly desired. Master’s degree desired.

Minimum Years of Experience ??

+ 7 years’ experience of management

Essential Job Expectations ???

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:???

+ Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;???

+ Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;???

+ Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;???

+ Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;???

+ Foster positive work relationships;???

+ Comply with all firm policies and practices;???

+ Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; © participating in meetings as needed;???

+ Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.???

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.???

Physical Demands ???

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.???

Work Environment ???

+ Hybrid – Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

Disclaimer ???

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process.???

Application Process? ???

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process or have any questions about the process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com. Please add dlapiper@myworkday.com to your list of safe senders.???

Accommodation ???

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com .???

Agency applications will not be considered.????

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position