at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Director, Spend Management
Recruiting Location
US-IL-Chicago
Department
Procurement
Summary
The Director, Spend Management will oversee the initial implementation and ongoing oversight of an established spend management function. The spend management function will facilitate the Firm's strategic sourcing, procurement and payment efforts. The Director will be a liaison between Firm leadership team, business services stakeholders and the spend management function, reporting directly to the Firm Director of Finance.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the consolidation of three separate functions (strategic sourcing, procurement, and accounts payable) into a single, strategically aligned, organization
Revamp current processes and technology to optimize the Firm's current spend management function, bringing along vendor governance team and internal business services stakeholders; including the evolution and roll out of policies, process maps and procedures
Jointly determine and execute on vendor governance strategies aligned with Firm priorities with Firm leadership team
Promote spend management goals and activities to Firm leadership and end users by establishing productive relationships and navigating cultural dynamics between Firm leaders, business services stakeholders and the spend management function
Lead as an escalation point for unique scenarios while also identifying and mitigating potential roadblocks or conflicts
Ensure effective spend management service delivery that meets Firm leadership expectations and contractual commitments
Proactively seek and identify opportunities to expand the scope of spend management or determine the need for special projects; lead those high profile projects and communicate status / timing to stakeholders and team members
Oversee development and implementation of measurement tools and tracking to monitor performance, outcomes and efficiency, report to Firm leadership
Oversee the financial analysis and review needed to monitor spending on complex vendor agreements to manage cost savings and to support the Firm's budgeting and projection efforts
Collaborate on projects with other departments and various Firm offices including: Accounting, HR, IT, Library, Marketing, Facilities and Office Administrators
Focus on long term professional development of team members
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).
Education and/or Experience:
Required:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, required in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, Management, or related field
A minimum of 10 years of management experience
A minimum of 10 years of procurement / vendor governance experience
Experience in change management across process and technology strongly desired
Experience in Professional Services (such as law Firm, consulting or accounting Firm) organization desired
Select procurement category expertise desired
Experience creating and presenting analysis to be used in business decisions
Demonstrated project management skills
Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Other Skills and Abilities:
The following will also be required of the successful candidate:
Strong organizational skills
Strong attention to detail
Good judgment
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
Able to work under pressure
Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Sidley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, citizenship status, national origin, veteran status and any other factor protected by applicable law.
