Procurement Associate, Junior Buyer

Job information:

• Functional title – Associate, Procurement – Corporate Services
• Department - Procurement
• Corporate level – Associate
• Report to – Director, Procurement
• Location - London

What you will be doing:

CLS recognizes procurement capability has a huge potential to contribute to cost management capability as well as improving the value from our vendors. This role is to develop CLS’s Procurement capability, moving it from a tactical requisition-based engagement model to a function supporting strategic vendor-based decisions.  

The Procurement Associate is to embrace the Procurement vision (“We seek to provide a frictionless and strategic Procurement service to CLS, that delivers added value by applying our expertise, leveraging the market, building trust, and enhancing collaboration with our Business Partners”), supporting the day-to-day business activities for all procurement aspects of CLS’s vendor engagements, across all divisions globally - ensuring appropriate levels of risk control, appreciation of business drivers, and to demonstrate willingness and desire to learn through on the job training and practical exposure core procurement skills; to drive optimization of costs and negotiation of contractual terms, whilst maintaining exemplary standards of quality and collaboration both with vendors and stakeholders alike.

The Procurement Associate will support the Corporate Procurement team, which consists of two Assistant Vice Presidents, and One Procurement Director, in the day-to-day procurement sourcing operations, which includes execution of contracts and commercial negotiations, competitive tendering, and collecting evidence of governance and controls. 

The expectation of the Procurement Associate is to operate at a Junior Buyer level, which will include ownership of tactile spend categories, with the intention to build experience, exposure, and relevant skills within procurement category management.

Strategically, the Procurement Associate will also support the Corporate Procurement team in building spend analytics, business trends and industry insights which are to contribute into the teams category management framework.

The Procurement Associate is expected to promote and, strictly adhere to, the defined Third-Party Management Procedures framework while promoting value-add that will assist CLS to meet its targets.

Operational:

• Support the Corporate Procurement team in tracking and reporting benefits and performance of implemented category plans
• Research and identify innovative procurement solutions for assigned category or initiative
• Support the Corporate Procurement team members to develop category strategy plans, including road maps and stakeholder mapping
• Cross-functional collaboration - Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs, provide support in sourcing and procurement activities

• Supplier Relationship Support - aid in managing relationships and supporting renewals and negotiations

• Raise and maintain Procurement Profile internally and externally
• Support the Corporate Procurement Team with strategic sourcing initiatives including fact-based negotiations (vendor and industry analysis, benchmarks and cost structure analysis)

• Purchase Requisition processing - timely delivery of goods and services with compliance to procurement procedures
• Supplier Onboarding - support the onboarding process for new suppliers, ensuring all required documentation and compliance checks are completed
• Process Improvement - contribute to the continuous improvement of procurement processes by identifying inefficiencies and recommending enhancement

What we’re looking for:

• Has a good introductory level understanding of Procurement with the desire to enhance knowledge, aligned to industry best practices
• Positive stakeholder management skills with the ability to build and maintain business stakeholder relationships
• Understanding of procurement processes in general and the importance of good governance principles
• An understanding of how appropriate preferred suppliers can compliment the business demand whilst; mitigating risk, reducing cost, and reducing complexity
• Ability/potential to lead and manage low risk tenders and renewal negotiations
• Experience in using ERP platforms for sourcing, P2P process and managing purchase catalogues (desirable)
• Attention to detail - ability to spot discrepancies in processes and contracts
• Proactive attitude - willingness to take initiative across the board, from identifying opportunities for improvement to general support in procurement activities
• Ability to articulate and communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing

• Demonstrate collaborative working across various cross-functional teams
• Ability to interpret a range of differing priorities and multiple tasks

• Adaptability and Flexibility - open to change and willing to adapt to new processes or strategies
• Strong sense of integrity and adherence to company policies and procurement regulations

• Risk management mindset
• Problem solving and analytical mindset
• Good attention to detail, but able to adapt approach when required
• Excellent skills in operating Microsoft Excel
• Customer satisfaction at the forefront
• Innate desire to learn and improve
• Team player with the ability to work constructively and flexibly in a regulated environment - including assisting in tasks which are not necessarily within their immediate responsibility when required
• Strong collaboration skills with all stakeholders
• Flexible and willing to ‘go the extra mile'
• Sufficient experience in similar role
• Experience in working in a regulated environment (desirable)

Professional qualifications / certifications

• Undergraduate Degree/CIPS accreditation (desirable)