Strategic Sourcing / Buyer-Supervising Associate

Our Supply Chain Services team includes approximately 300 people working across 31 countries. We are relentless trendsetters, employing the latest in innovation and technology to better service the business. In a world of disruption, we embrace transformation and work to find best-in-class services and suppliers to help us stay ahead of the curve. We are responsible for sourcing across four categories of spend:

• Talent (including Brand, Marketing and Communications)
• Technology & External Content
• Real Estate (including Workplace Services and Real Estate Technology and Innovation) 
• Travel, Meetings & Events 

The opportunity

EY is seeking a dynamic procurement professional who is passionate about Indirect Procurement with at least five (5) years of Procurement experience specifically procuring Talent/HR products and services. EY is seeking a professional who has exciting visions for the future, the ability to drive transformative change and deliver stakeholder value and would look forward to joining a global leader on our ambitious procurement journey.

This role will be a key contributor within Global Procurement’s Talent Procurement team.  You will report to the Procurement Talent Lead for Canada and will be responsible for the procurement strategy, sourcing execution, transformation initiatives, and stakeholder engagement for selected projects within Talent Procurement mainly in Canada. 

Your key responsibilities

• You will be responsible for delivering on a portfolio of strategic projects, across Talent (HR) categories, with a focus on delivering brand and quantitative value through strategic change, strong negotiations, process efficiencies and demand management.  
• Act as a trusted business advisor to EY stakeholders, aligning procurement projects with the business’ pipeline, and providing Exceptional Customer Service while delivering both brand and quantitative value to the bottom line through cost savings and cost avoidance.
• End-to-end delivery of sourcing projects and category management activities for EY business stakeholders, along with commercial management of EY’s Talent (HR) suppliers.
• Provide accurate progress reporting on all projects and ensure timely submission of savings forms.
• Identification and leveraging of digital tools, procurement technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to drive efficiency, support data-driven decision making, and optimize sourcing processes and supplier management. Use tools to perform supplier and market research. 
• Employ procurement and category best practices to projects.
• Lead RFx’s of varying degrees of complexity including strong commercial contractual negotiations, while partnering with stakeholders and shared functions such as Legal, Risk Management and Vendor Management teams.
• Interact with procurement specialists and Talent & business stakeholders across multiple locations to facilitate the efficient and timely execution of projects and contracts. 
• Work closely with other business partners and manage all aspects of the contracting process including Risk Management, Legal (GCO), Global Client Serving Partners, Data Privacy, Supplier Risk Assurance, etc. on a regular basis. 
• Manage a portfolio of strategic suppliers.  
• Work collaboratively with other EY procurement leads. 
• Adherence to EY procurement policy and processes, including collaboration with Legal (GCO), Risk Management and other EY support functions.
• Develop strong relationships with key EY business stakeholders and report project progress via regular meetings.
• Continuously educate the procurement process to local EY staff and stakeholders as needed and deliver procurement and category insights to key stakeholders.
• Solid knowledge of key suppliers and their position in the market, in addition to working through current market intelligence resources and partners to perform the latest research across the Talent categories.
• High quality execution of sourcing projects in line with the procurement policy and within the timeline as agreed with key stakeholders.
• Minimize contractual risks to EY and manage supplier relationships according to EY’s procurement and Independence policies.

Skills and attributes for success

To qualify for the role, you must have:

• Minimum of 5-to-7 plus years of Procurement experience, including but not limited to sourcing talent HR services such as payroll service providers, benefits administrator providers, relocation management providers, recruiting agencies for temporary and permanent resources, temporary corporate living, mental health services, benefits including medical insurance, including other areas of Talent/HR spend. 
• Demonstrated track record of defining and delivering Procurement strategies and projects in HR category and services.
• Experience of working in a complex matrixed global organization and liaising with different cultures. 
• Strong business acumen and ability to identify opportunities & develop sourcing strategies which support EY business needs. 

Ideally, you’ll also

• An ability to influence and align efforts with key stakeholders and possess a global mindset.
• The understanding of strategic trends in talent and HR and what changes are occurring in the industry as a whole; and how they impact our category & procurement strategies and programs.
• An aptitude to build rapport efficiently, connect and expand network and promote teaming and consensus.
• Experience with assessing opportunities and building credible options, in an influential manner with EY stakeholder groups to reach resolution and drive results.
• Demonstrated effective decision-making and maturity that enhance interactions with EY leadership.
• The ability to adapt to the styles and cultural differences of others and incorporate feedback to maximize relationships and outcomes.
• Proven people development and management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in fluent business English.
• The ability to travel up to 5% for strategic planning, stakeholder meetings, people management, project coordination and implementation.
• Proven sourcing experience in other categories, such as technology (desired).
• Experience with managing sourcing projects in Ariba/SAP, and execution of online Rfx and e-Auctions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, procurement/sourcing technologies, ERP systems such as SAP Ariba, as well as DocuSign. 

What we look for

•  Strong procurement expertise and commercial acumen to own and drive sourcing and demand management strategies across a broad array of category services.
• Proven track record of identifying, developing and leading procurement activities of varying complexities, including regional, local or global projects. High level of cultural awareness and EQ.
• Strong organizational skills and strong data analysis skills.
• Strong strategic sourcing and negotiation expertise with a background in HR categories.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly present to senior stakeholders to influence program/project direction.
• Strong project management skills to lead a project through contract execution.
• Candidates who are energetic, innovative and self-motivated.
• Ability to independently manage and prioritize workload.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources or related field, or equivalent work experience.  Masters or MBA preferred.
• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) preferred.

What we offer you   

At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more. 

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.   

To help create an equitable and inclusive experience during the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible about any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.