North America Regional Category Lead - Procurement (Workplace Services)

We Are:

Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services—all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 674,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

In today’s business environment, growth isn’t just about building value—it's fundamental to long-term business survival. So how do organizations sustain themselves? The key is a new operating model—one that's anchored around the customer and propelled by intelligence to deliver exceptional experiences across the enterprise at speed and at scale. You will deliver breakthrough business outcomes for clients—by harnessing talent, data and intelligence to revolutionize their operating models.

Operations is one of four services that make up one Accenture –the others are Strategy and Consulting, Interactive and Technology.

You Are:

As the North America Procurement Regional Category Lead you are responsible for leading and coordinating the Procurement Plus (P+) Workplace category on a regional level. Additionally, you are accountable for regional target setting in alignment with global/regional/regional P+ and category goals. You will implement global category strategy and sourcing agreements on regional/country level and drive category value and excellent service while ensuring compliance with strategy and policies

The Work:

Manage the Procurement Plus Workplace category on a Regional level:

• Manage and develop the Procurement Plus regional Workplace category organization

• Manage direct reports incl. target setting, performance review, and career and training development

• Assess impact of regionally/Regionally changing requirements, including legislation and policies

• Actively support roll-out of global/regional category development initiatives within the Market and MU

• Support strong and robust procurement and category infrastructure aimed at optimizing activities

• Support the business customer in setting up their plans, budgets, and strategies

• Ensure execution of the yearly action plans to improve the category at regional level

• Actively participate in category community calls and foster team spirit at regional level

Ensure implementation of procurement initiative and sourcing agreements on regional level:

• Coordinate resource allocation to support global/ market initiatives, on a country/MU level

• Lead and support strategic category management and procurement activities within NA and MU’s

• Support global/regional category execution by leading contract implementation & driving compliance

• Identify, support and implement other improvement initiatives, e.g. specification optimization

• Promote the use of contracts and buying channels according to category strategies

Manage supplier and customer relationships on a regional level:

• Manage regional supplier relationships in line with Global Category and 360 Value Mgmt. strategy

• Develop and maintain effective strategic relationships with key internal customers and stakeholders

• Manage internal customer feedback on category organization & supplier performance

• Proactively organize sessions with internal customers to identify value contribution opportunities

• Ensure that input from stakeholders is considered in the category strategy and sourcing processes

Perform category management and sourcing activities for projects on a regional level:

• Manage the category strategy implementation/execution for regional projects and initiatives

• Design and develop relevant RFP documents for projects in line with global/regional strategies

• Perform supplier selection and fact-based negotiations in alignment with Global Category Lead

• Negotiate agreements with suppliers and incorporate best practice metrics for agreements

• Involve the business for actions related to supplier base optimization, KPI implementation

• Drive deep Workplace market intelligence into all aspects of the value proposition

• In line with global/regional strategy, support classification, categorization and evaluation of suppliers

Here’s what you need:

• A Bachelor`s degree or a minimum of 10 years equivalent work experience, specifically within the areas of procurement, Workplace (Facility services), Real Estate

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the Facilities services/management and Corporate Real estate, Project and Fit-outs industry and solid procurement background

• A minimum 3 years of experience working with senior executives to implement and manage initiatives in a highly complex matrix organization

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expert in category management and sourcing execution as well as project management and planning

• Good knowledge of procurement and category strategy development and conveyance

• Proven knowledge in sourcing and procurement methodologies and concepts

• Proven knowledge of the Regional Workplace industry and commercial models

• Strong in analytics and the ability to analyze specifications and influence demand

• Very strong in stakeholder and relationship management as well as supplier management

• Strong in risk and compliance management as well as supplier management

• Strong capability to independently interact throughout the broader Accenture organization

• Strong analytical, presentation, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills

• Strong knowledge of procurement tools content and data analysis

• Project and process management knowledge and experience

• Forward, out of the box thinking and an innovative, disruptive and open mindset

• Action oriented and solution minded team player with high degree of self-management

• Ability to manage multiple projects, adopt a flexible approach and prioritize tasks appropriately

• Comfortable navigating in a multicultural environment

• Strong negotiation skills on both commercial as well as contractual.

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