Expires soon KPMG SA

Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Front Office Technology

  • London, UNITED KINGDOM

Job description

AutoReq ID

131680BR

Job Title

Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Front Office Technology

Country

United Kingdom

Location

London

Function

KPMG Business Services

Service Line

Finance

Service Line Information

With a turnover in excess of £1.5 billion and a payroll of close to 16,000 partners and staff across UK offices, our Finance team covers a huge spectrum of work. It spans everything from being closely involved in supporting the organisation's business strategy to tightly managing critical business functions like employee payroll, expenses, accounts payable and billing.

KPMG Overview

KPMG is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Tax & Pensions, Consulting, Deal Advisory and Technology services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity and insight to our clients’ most critical challenges.
With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start-ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our vision is simple: to be the clear choice for our clients, for our people and for the communities we work in.

Job Description

Background:

KPMG provides Audit, Tax and Advisory services to clients with these client-facing functions supported by a central function, KPMG Business Services (KBS). Within KBS, the firm has an established Procurement function resourced with qualified procurement professionals responsible for supporting the firm’s £450m+ expenditure on bought-in goods & services. The Procurement function‘s objectives are:

- To be regarded as an invaluable business partner by the firm’s Infrastructure functions (in particular Facilities, HR , Marketing and IT) and by the wider business functions
- To drive the continuous improvement of third-party goods & services and minimise the risks associated with commercial contracting activities through the application of best-practice procurement across the firm
- To support the business with technology investments to enable profitable revenue growth
- To offer rewarding development & career opportunities to all members of the Procurement function

Overview of the Position / Key Responsibilities:

Procurement’s sourcing activities are managed by six category teams; Facilities, HR & Professional Services, Technology, Marketing and Travel, S3 (Sustainability, Supplier Management and Systems), as well as a new Front Office Technology category. Each category team is made up of category-specialist procurement professionals led by a Category Manager, each reporting to the UK Head of Procurement.

Technology spend overall for KPMG LLP is circa £90m per annum, including both KBS Technology spend and Front Office Technology spend. Whilst KBS Technology spend represents a large proportion of this spend and managed separately within the Technology Services category, this new Front Office category has both spend and revenue exposure as the services are more directly associated to external KPMG client delivered solutions.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Front Office Technology is responsible for providing specialist support to Strategic Sourcing Manager(s) and the Category Manager thereby maximising the contribution of the Front Office Technology. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Technology’s main responsibilities are:

Relationship Management
- Development of effective relationships with appropriate peer group in the relevant stakeholder groups thereby supporting the Strategic Sourcing Manager(s), and UK Category Manager in their understanding of client drivers & requirements and the provision of appropriate support & solutions and becoming a trusted advisor.
- Where project requirements necessitate, the Strategic Sourcing Specialist may be required to develop relationships with key internal stakeholders (e.g Project Leads, Contract Managers, Directors and Partners). Therefore, the Strategic Sourcing Specialist will need to have the ability to communicate confidently and clearly.
- Ability to identify potential tensions between business requirements and the application of procurement best-practice and manage these carefully by seeking guidance or in some instances deferring the same to more senior members of the category team for consideration and action

Team Player
- Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse team and adapt style of working to accommodate different country practices
- Actively supporting the Procurement Leadership Team in their pursuit to improve the operations & performance of the function

Analysis
- Support the UK Category Manager in their strategic management of the category by interrogating the firm’s financial systems and highlighting cost creep and/or areas of procurement opportunity
- Ability to interpret company accounts and highlight areas of concern
- Significant ability to interpret data and understand the cost implications of supplier proposals

Execution
- With the support of a Strategic Sourcing Manager or the Category Manager, apply the firm’s independence & reciprocity policies, and apply the department’s standard processes, tools, templates & systems to all sourcing & contracting activities; including but not limited to SAP eSourcing system and the physical contract files.
- Appropriate consideration of CSR & diversity criteria in all sourcing & contracting activities and active participation in the firm’s Supplier Diversity & CSR Programme

Capabilities:

- Seizes Business Opportunities
- Demonstrates Curiosity & Innovation
- Delivers Quality
- Exercises Professional Judgment
- Makes an Impact

Procurement technical competencies:


The Strategic Sourcing Specialist – Technology is required to demonstrate the following Technical Competencies:

Competency

Level required

Competency

Level required

Business Needs Analysis

Proficient

Opportunity Assessment

Proficient

Category management

Proficient

Price & Cost Analysis

Proficient

Contract Drafting

Proficient

Policy & process

Proficient

Contract Management & fulfilment

Foundation

Project management

Proficient

Negotiation

Proficient

Procurement systems

Proficient

Risk Planning

Proficient

Strategic sourcing

Proficient

Supplier Financial analysis

Foundation

Stakeholder management

Proficient

Supplier collaboration & driving innovation

Proficient

Supplier relationship management

Proficient

In particular the position requires:
- Basic procurement experience, preferably in the Technology area (software, hardware, telecoms, networks, data centre, software development, etc) either in the form of leading low value/less complex procurement projects or supporting more complex sourcing activities, including contracting and negotiating for newer Technologies (AI, Cognitive & Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, cloud).
- Service-centric approach, evidence of using commercial acumen as well as a clear understanding of objectives and priorities to consistently deliver positive outcomes for Stakeholders, including the realisation of solutions delivered both internally and directly to a client of the firm.
- Exposure to complex software licencing and services engagements, including experience in complex Information Protection and Risk Assurance processes
- Ability to prioritise work, determine and communicate a proposed project strategy often within short timescales, and own management of the outcome in a way that minimises or avoids impact to critical business timelines.
- Ability to work flexibly within a framework drawing on experience and knowledge of processes, people, policies and systems to develop pragmatic solutions to a broad range of Stakeholders and project scenarios.
- Literacy – ability to understand and author basic business documents including reports, business cases, terms of reference, Requests for Proposal, contract documentation etc.

Qualifications and Experience:

- Degree qualified (or equivalent)
- Working towards becoming a fully qualified member of applicable national Procurement institute (eg. CIPS, NEVI etc.)
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in procurement or equivalent commercial roles, preferably with some experience in the Technology category
- Relevant industry experience; Professional Services, Financial Services etc is desirable although not essential

Our Deal

If the chance to work with interesting clients and innovative technology wasn’t rewarding enough, we’ll motivate you in other ways too. At KPMG you can expect real responsibilities and opportunities to grow professionally.
‘Our Deal’ sets out all the different ways you’ll be rewarded at KPMG. Among other things you can benefit from honest conversations about your career as well as a range of other rewards. In all these ways and more, we have created an environment that can bring out the best in you.

Flexible Working

While some of our client-facing professionals can be required to travel regularly, and at times be based at client sites, we are supportive where possible of helping you to achieve a balance between your home and work demands.
We are happy to discuss individual requirements and our range of flexible working arrangements could be of interest. Furthermore, as part of the recruitment process, we can put you in touch with people who work flexibly so you can understand from them what our culture is like.

Applying with a Disability

KPMG are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and we seek to attract and retain the best people from the widest possible talent pool. As a member of the Business Disability Forum we're committed to ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout our Recruitment Process. Should you be successful after the initial application stage, please discuss any reasonable adjustments that you may require, with your recruitment contact.

KPMG's commitment to diversity

At KPMG, we appreciate that returning to work after an extended career break can be daunting. We understand that those with experience who have taken a career break have a wealth of experience and knowledge to offer our organisation, which could assist us to achieve our business goals. We will support you to refresh your skills, develop your confidence and provide a supportive network across the firm to help you best integrate into the working environment. This role welcomes applications for individuals who have been out of work for 18 months or more and who have previous relevant experience.

KPMG consistently features in the Sunday Times Best Big Companies to work for, which has been recognised with a special achievement award to mark our 10 years in the Top 25. We are proud of the value we place on individuality; we want you to bring your full self to work and truly maximise your potential. We believe your individuality helps us to deliver the best results for our clients. Diversity of background, diversity of experience, diversity of perspective - that's the KPMG difference. But, don't take our word for it, find out more about diversity at KPMG

Policy for Agencies

KPMG has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CV’s from agencies. Please check here to see our policy on agencies:Policy

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