Senior Procurement Manager - Technology

You will also take ownership of strategic sourcing and vendor management across your categories, from identifying requirements and going to market through to negotiation, contracting and ongoing supplier relationship management.

How you will contribute

• Develop and implement technology sourcing and category strategies in partnership with internal stakeholders, creating robust plans aligned with The Economist Group’s priorities and ambitions.
• Lead complex and high-value sourcing activity, ensuring we secure high-quality products and services on commercially competitive terms.
• Develop a deep understanding of our technology portfolio, roadmap and vendor landscape, allowing Procurement to anticipate requirements rather than simply respond to them.
• Build trusted relationships with Technology and other stakeholders, using your expertise to influence decisions and challenge constructively where appropriate.
• Take a proactive approach to existing vendors, contracts and supplier lifecycles, identifying opportunities and risks well ahead of renewal or sourcing decisions.
• Lead strategic vendor and supplier relationship management following contract award, working with stakeholders to maximise value and supplier performance.
• Identify and deliver sustainable commercial savings while considering the wider value, quality and risk associated with our strategic supply base.
• Provide practical procurement guidance for lower-value delegated purchasing, helping colleagues make informed commercial decisions.
• Work closely with colleagues in Finance, Legal and other functions to improve shared processes and create greater cross-functional efficiency.
• Contribute to initiatives designed to strengthen and develop the Procurement function and its capabilities.

The experience we are looking for

You will be an established procurement professional with a strong specialism in technology procurement and experience working across the full procurement lifecycle.

You will bring:

• At least five years’ experience across procurement, technology sourcing and vendor management.
• Proven experience leading sourcing activity on a global scale, with a track record of delivering meaningful commercial benefits.
• Strong knowledge of technology categories, markets and vendors, with the ability to turn that knowledge into practical commercial recommendations.
• Excellent commercial judgement and strong negotiation skills.
• Significant supplier and contract management experience, including building productive and trusted vendor relationships while proactively managing commercial and operational risk.
• Confidence working across the full procurement lifecycle, from category planning and sourcing through to contracting and ongoing supplier management.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the confidence to challenge established thinking and influence technology decisions.
• The ability to make complex commercial issues clear and accessible to different audiences.
• A strong understanding of commercial and contracting models and the different levers available to maximise value.
• A proactive and pragmatic approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines while working effectively as part of a wider team.