Job Description

The role reports into the Senior Procurement Manager for Public Sector Procurement and
forms an integral part of the overall Sopra Steria Procurement Team. The role will provide procurement support directly to a Sopra Steria Sector or Joint Venture (client vertical), in a Business Partnering capacity, across a wide and varied range of products and services.
You will support the Sector/JV and manage your ongoing supplier requirements, in terms of new supplier development and set up, supplier commercial & contractual negotiation, cost improvement optimization and savings, etc.

In this role you will also challenge the business in terms of procurement strategy, supplier selection, supplier consolidation and procurement controls. You will be expected to have a good working knowledge of procurement best practices, systems, tools and techniques, including but not limited to data analysis, manipulation and presentation.
The role is based out of our Headquarters in Hemel Hempstead following our hybrid working pattern.
What you'll be doing:

• Agree appropriate and specific objectives with the aligned Sector/JV to drive continuous improvement and alignment with wider Procurement objectives.
• Working with senior Sector stakeholders, develop the Sector procurement strategy and working practices, and promote procurement capabilities.
• Provide frequent and regular Sector/JV senior management updates and reporting on progress and outputs against Sector/JV aligned objectives
• Manage the appointment of suppliers through comprehensive sourcing processes including eSourcing tools where appropriate
• Effectively use data to monitor suppliers and spend in order to develop & implement approaches to re-negotiation, consolidation and savings identification
• Ensure that existing procurement controls, policies and processes are adhered to by the business, and develop new controls in conjunction with the Core Ops team, where needed and appropriate.
• Provide input and feedback to
• the business on supplier and procurement risk through all stages of the
• supplier engagement
• Challenge the business in respect to any supplier engagements where appropriate and ensure Procurement are a key decision maker in third party related activities, through corporate process, e.g. DCRs, BCRs, etc.
• Conduct regular reviews of
• existing contracts with suppliers to ensure continued competitiveness and value
• for money is being achieved and to exploit price review clauses to their
• fullest extent.
• Drive alignment of the Procurement Business Partner role with the Sector/JV Management Team

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive experience of working in a Procurement role at a strategic and line management level.
• Experience of developing and implementing procurement strategy.
• Experience of dealing with complex negotiations on pricing and contract terms in order to deliver savings and commercial value wherever possible.
• Good working knowledge of contracts, contracting processes and drafting.
• Good working knowledge of procurement process and practices, including, scoping, tendering, evaluation, selection, contract negotiation and supplier management).
• Able to demonstrate and evidence strong commercial awareness.
• Experience of developing positive stakeholder relationships which enhance Procurement’s value to the business, whilst ensuring adherence to procurement practices.
• Experience working in a challenging and demanding environment
• Positive experience of developing supplier relations for positive outcomes.
• Degree qualified or equivalent.
• MCIPS Diploma qualified - highly desirable.
• Ability to manage, develop & inspire Team Members and business colleagues.
• Effective communicator / stakeholder management.
• Self-driven strategic thinker with the ability to work independently.
• Has the willingness and flexibility to travel to client locations as necessary.
• Self-disciplined and able to deliver whilst working flexibly.