Senior Lead, Procurement

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Job summary:

The Senior Lead, Procurement will lead the development and establishment of the procurement function from the ground up, creating and implementing a strategic sourcing strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and financial objectives. This role requires a skilled professional with experience in procurement, vendor management, and strategic sourcing, ideally with exposure to building procurement processes and teams within a growing company.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

• Procurement Strategy Development:

Process and Function Building:

• Design and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy that meets the company's operational needs and financial targets.
• Develop policies, procedures, and best practices to drive consistent and efficient procurement processes across the organization.
• Align procurement strategy with broader business objectives, driving cost savings and value creation.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Build, establish, and lead the procurement function, including policies, workflows, and governance frameworks.
• Create and manage a robust supplier management process, ensuring high-quality vendor selection and performance.
• Implement sourcing strategies to optimize supplier relationships, pricing, and contract terms.

Vendor and Supplier Management:

• Recruit, develop, and manage a team of procurement professionals, providing mentorship and performance feedback.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation within the procurement team.
• Define key performance metrics for the procurement team and ensure targets are met.

Cost Management and Optimization:

• Establish strong vendor relationships and lead contract negotiations to achieve optimal terms and conditions.
• Implement a supplier performance monitoring system to ensure high standards for quality, delivery, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with key suppliers, identifying opportunities for collaboration and improvement.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Identify and execute cost-saving opportunities through effective sourcing and negotiation practices.
• Analyze procurement spending data and conduct market research to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate with finance and operational teams to forecast and budget for procurement needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies related to procurement and vendor management.
• Identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain, including supplier reliability, pricing fluctuations, and compliance issues.
• Conduct regular audits of procurement practices to ensure adherence to policies and continuous improvement.
• Partner with various departments (e.g., finance, operations, and legal) to understand and support their procurement needs.
• Act as a key advisor to senior leadership on procurement strategy and cost optimization.
• Support the development of a culture of responsible procurement across the organization.

Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, or strategic sourcing, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership role.

Certifications: Relevant certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) are highly desirable.

Skills:

• Experience in building and leading procurement functions within a growing organization.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to use data for decision-making.
• Proficiency in procurement software and ERP systems.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work cross-functionally and with external partners.
• Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of building and developing teams.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make and South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.