Senior Procurement Manager

Location: Washington, DC (or East Coast Remote) Position Status: Full-time Minimum Staring Salary Annualized: $76K commensurate with experience

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Department Summary

The Global Procurement and Logistics (GPL) Team influences complete Mercy Corps procurement and logistics activity by supporting directly HQ functions and in-country operations teams and ensuring compliance to both internal policy and donor regulations. GPL establishes and maintains vendor relationships, leads strategic procurement initiatives, and encourages innovation to reduce risk and cost and increase efficiency. Our focus is to support field teams to increase capabilities through gap assessments and training on procurement, assets, warehousing and fleet.

General Position Summary

The Senior Procurement Manager for indirect categories has the responsibility for the development and maintenance of strategic initiatives within all indirect sourcing categories of responsibility including all IT equipment, mobile phones, printers and photocopiers, office supplies and other service providers (translations, marketing & media, production and design, staffing agencies, writers & editors, education and training). Specific responsibilities include development of category strategies, supplier negotiations, identification of cost saving opportunities and overall management of supplier relationships. A good proportion of the total category spend and suppliers will not be managed directly; however, the senior procurement manager will need to consider the total spend within the category and provide support and oversight.

The Senior Procurement Manager will establish long-term agreements with high-quality suppliers to reduce transactional work and receive better terms. The Senior Procurement Manager will also ensure all procurement is processed organizationally in collaboration with the procurement team to eliminate “shadow” spend and will develop excellent partnerships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and other organizations.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Develop tailored supply strategies and plans for each assigned category
• Expertly negotiate and administer contracts and cost management
• Manage relevant procurement policies and procedures
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on updated procurement processes
• Manage strategic sourcing and procurement processes (RFX, RFP)
• Cultivate and maintain supplier relationships
• Lead strategic supplier relationship management to continually identify process improvements and cost reduction opportunities
• Maintain relationships with, and provide service to various business functions on procurements with varying complexities across the organization including legal, regional/country offices, marketing
• Analyze spend data and cost models for continuous improvement
• Manage procurement related projects and programs through internal and external changes

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director, Procurement

Works Directly With: HQ Departments, Country Programs, Finance, Compliance

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• Excellent stakeholder communication, problem solving, and negotiation skills
• 5+ years of procurement related experience, preferably primarily in indirect categories
• BA/S in business management, supply chain management, or related field,
• NGO experience preferred with thorough understanding of institutional donors’ (USAID, DFID, OFDA, ECHO) policies relating to procurement
• Ability to establish supplier specifications, measure conformance and identify process improvement opportunities that are defined in conjunction with internal customers is critical to this position
• Proven advanced knowledge of procurement industry cost structures and drivers
• Proven organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to conduct independent research and analysis, perform statistical calculations, identify issues, formulate options, and make recommendations
• Ability to provide fact-based advice and development of market and industry analysis
• Ability to multitask productively and prioritize effectively
• Demonstrated openness to change and the ability to manage complexities in a timely, professional and quality manner
• General knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
• Knowledge of Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word as well as experience implementing and using procurement systems
• Must have proven project management skills and experience with the ability to analyze and resolve complex issues
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, able to collaborate and motivate teams who are globally dispersed

Success Factors

This role will require exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills in implementing Mercy Corps HQ procurement policy. Organizational skills and ability to prioritize will be critical due to the number of projects that will be underway simultaneously. Change management will also be a critical aspect of this role as we transition in part to a centralized procurement function at Mercy Corps.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.

As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. Any offers of employment or continued employment are dependent on the successful completion of the screens which include, but are not limited to our Background Check and Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme processes,

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees

Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status.

This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.

For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.