Lead

Description:

The Professional Services Procurement Category Lead shall be responsible for ensuring that Pearson maximises value from all non-IT professional services spend across the Group whilst minimising risk. The individual will build strong, trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and lead a team of global procurement professionals to help the business deliver on both its’ tactical and strategic directives.

The Professional Services Category Lead shall be responsible for the management and coordination of c. £100m per annum in third party spend across BPO, Consulting, Finance, Legal, and Treasury. The Lead shall be responsible for stakeholder management, category management, sourcing, supplier relationship management while aligned to our ESG initiatives

This role is a 9 month fixed term contract which provides opportunity to gain experience in a growth orientated Educational technology business. This role will be hybrid to our London offices with a contract that may extend longer. We champion flexibility in this arrangement so please start a conversation today to discuss what this means for you.

Responsibilities
 

• Establish category plans, preferred supplier lists, execute sourcing strategies, manage risk, drive innovation and manage key suppliers
• Develop and execute a robust stakeholder management strategy - translating business priorities into sourcing initiatives that deliver agreed outcomes
• Utilise spend analytics to prioritise initiatives and proactively recommend strategies for maximising value
• Deliver measurable savings against agreed targets
• Work in collaboration with the extended team to drive function wide objectives
• In conjunction with legal, ensure sourcing contracts protect Pearson's interests and drive robust risk strategies whilst promoting sustainability and diversity
• Approve all indirect third party spend above agreed thresholds
• Establish and utilise network to keep abreast of industry best practice and drive innovation
   

About You
 

• Deep procurement experience from large complex organisations
• Able to influence externally and internally at an executive level
• Strong communication, people, and leadership skills
• Experience of leading both virtual and physical global teams
• Collaborative leader who leads through influence and coaching over authority
• Strong problem solving and change management ability
• Evidence of managing strategic relationships and negotiating complex, high value third party agreements
• Natural ability to interact positively with all internal stakeholders across cultures, countries, and professional disciplines
• Able to maintain impartiality and drive business outcomes