Senior IT Procurement Specialist

Salary: up to £55,000

We are looking for a highly experienced and motivated Senior IT Procurement Specialist to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Head of Technology Procurement, you will play a key role in optimising our IT procurement processes, with a particular focus on strengthening supplier risk management and ensuring compliance with all regulations. You will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record of success in IT Procurement, contract management and internal and supplier relationship building, and will be a key player in optimising procurement strategy across the entire organisation.

Role Location

This is a home based position and so we are therefore open to candidates based across the UK.

So, who are we?

We are Reach Plc, you might not have heard of us but we have probably met without you even realising it. We are home to the UK and Ireland’s most iconic digital platforms, magazines and newspapers. From the Mirror, Daily Express and OK!, to our regional titles such as the Liverpool Echo, BirminghamLive and the Manchester Evening News (plus lots more), our brands and the stories we cover are as varied as our people. We help all kinds of people share experiences through our stories because we believe this is what makes us human.

Oh, and we should probably also mention that with a monthly readership of 47 million people, Reach is the largest commercial publisher in the UK. At Reach, not only will you feel better understood, you will also feel you understand other people better too.

As the Senior IT Procurement Specialist, you will lead the development and implementation of the Supplier Risk Management Strategy and Framework and establish a governance and oversight structure for IT suppliers. This includes supplier due diligence, risk assessments and compliance audits. You will also support the continued development of a Technology Procurement Catalogue in close collaboration with the product and digital teams.

You will act as the custodian of the Supplier Management Policy, procurement excellence processes, and systems which can be adopted by all departments, all while proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, cost efficiencies and development of existing supplier relationships and services.

You will develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders across the organisation, work collaboratively with and provide strategic expertise to cross functional teams to ensure smooth, efficient processes, and identify suitable procurement solutions and supporting sourcing processes as required.

You will coordinate due diligence for onboarding suppliers and ensure ongoing supplier assurance, tracking and monitoring third-party risks, as well as overseeing contract management, including timely execution, supplier performance reviews and adherence to agreed upon terms. You will create a Supplier Management Procedure document with key controls, in collaboration with the centralised workstream, and provide executive reporting of supplier KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRIs (Key Risk Indicators).

• Experience in IT procurement with a proven track record of success, with a strong understanding of technology and IT applications and knowledge of the latest technology trends and market ideas
• Experienced in negotiation, supplier management and contract management
• Ability to build and maintain effective communication with project stakeholders and cross-functional teams, and comfortable presenting to senior business and technology stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen with good risk management and mitigation skills, with an understanding of regulatory requirements for financial services
• Has a collaborative, results-oriented and methodical approach with precision and keen attention to detail

Desirable

• Additional certifications in procurement, risk management, or supplier relationship management.
• Experience with Procurement Technology (P2P, S2P and ERP tools) 

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days’ holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years’ service with Reach, you’ll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day - an additional day’s leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and you’ll be eligible after just six months’ employment
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan - free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• As one of the UK’s top 50 Inclusive Employers everyone’s invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities - you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested please apply early to avoid disappointment.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.