Would you like to work for a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services with over 250.000 people around the world? Would you like to be part of a global Procurement team that employs innovation and technology to disrupt the status quo and generate business value? Would you like to play a role in building a better working world every day? If so, you will want to read this.

Our global Procurement team includes more than 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:

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

The opportunity

The Workplace Procurement team manages all spend supporting the operation of our EY facilities (750+/- locations globally) and the workplace needs of 275,000 people. This team of approximately 24 people (Workplace Procurement subject matter experts) dispersed globally manages a spend of approximately $400M annually. This spend has several large components including: Office Products, Food Services, Mail Services, Security Services, Furniture and Fixtures, Carpet etc.

The role of the Senior Associate - procurement support will be to individually support the MED regional workplace procurement lead in developing and delivering procurement strategy, sourcing execution, customer engagement and vendor management across the Workplace Services category for Italy and hence experience working mainly with suppliers in Italy, experience in EMEIA markets would be considered preferential (but not essential). Whilst the initial focus of this role will include Italy and workplace services, we anticipate the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work within a wider range of countries and procurement categories as required.

Your key responsibilities

• Implement Sourcing Strategies for one or more of the Workplace Services and other procurement categories as required
• Build a pipeline of Procurement projects in collaboration with local stakeholders and execute local and regional deals in the timelines agreed with key stakeholders and the respective Procurement lead.
• Deliver both sourcing projects and demand management initiatives in support of the procurement strategies
• Increase the strategic value of procurement by delivering value to the bottom line through cost savings and cost avoidance, as well as increasing spend under management
• Develop strong relationships with key local stakeholders, agreeing procurement projects, providing Exceptional Customer Service, and delivering Value to the bottom line through Cost savings and cost avoidance
• Achieve cost reduction targets, help to develop new cost reduction strategies, and improve negotiable spend via sourcing and demand management
• Provide strategic Procurement support to other internal procurement functions as required
• Ensure adequate planning around the deal pipeline and renewals of contracts
• Lead RFPs and negotiations and support the team in the analysis of the information and the negotiation of the contract in conjunction with the stakeholders and legal teams.
• Minimize contractual risks to the firm and manage business relationships with vendors according to EY’s Procurement and Independence policies
• Provide accurate monthly reports on procurement deals and savings
• Contribute driving and create the standardization of global processes and operations, and ensure compliance to the Procurement policy by education of local EY staff and presentations to stakeholders
• Educate users, and stakeholders on these policies to ensure compliance. Challenge and escalate non compliance
• Contract management

Skills and attributes for success

• High level of Italian and English language, both languages will be essential for daily work activities.
• Global Mindset, ability to align country requirements from key stakeholders and Global processes.
• Good skills in procurement, financial analysis and project management are pre- requisite.
• Agile and adept at managing multiple concurrent activities.
• Energetic and driven to achieve results.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Business degree or relevant qualifications preferred but not essential
• CIPS or equivalent procurement qualification preferred but not essential
• Experience of at least 2-3 years in procurement and or strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience in Workplace or Facilities preferred but not essential.
• High level of spoken and written Italian and English, other languages would be considered a benefit.
• Proficiency in standard workplace technology, e.g., Microsoft office, SAP

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Strong commercial skills to drive sourcing and demand management strategies
• Ability to balance the global mind-set with cultural diversity, ensuring global strategies can be successfully implemented locally.
• Previous experience working in a Global Team with remote supervision it would be considered.
• Able to understand complex organizational processes with a proactive mindset.
• Experience of various Source to Pay (“S2P”) processes

What we offer

EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) is a dynamic and truly global delivery network. We work across six locations – Argentina, China, India, the Philippines, Poland and the UK – and with teams from all EY service lines, geographies and sectors, playing a vital role in the delivery of the EY growth strategy. From accountants to coders to advisory consultants, we offer a wide variety of fulfilling career opportunities that span all business disciplines. In GDS, you will collaborate with EY teams on exciting projects and work with well-known brands from across the globe. We’ll introduce you to an ever-expanding ecosystem of people, learning, skills and insights that will stay with you throughout your career.

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

About EY

EY | Building a better working world

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

The exceptional EY experience. It’s yours to build.