Procurement Consultant - Contingent Labor (Contract to Hire) - Chicago, Illinois

About the role

The Senior Procurement Specialist assists client’s project buyers with procuring, managing, and remittance processing of service contracts under Statement of Work (SOW) agreements. Partners with project buyers to facilitate Request for Proposals (RFPs), SOW negotiation events, and provides project oversight with regard to supplier invoice administration and settlement. Works with client facing team(s) to optimize efforts to service clients in a high-quality, cost-effective manner for multiple client work locations.

What you’ll be doing

Develops partnering relationships with client’s project buyer community and knowledge of historical and projected buying needs of the departments supported by the MSP team. Manages all procurement requisition activity through use of VMS technology. Oversees use of VMS technology by client project buyers, stakeholders, and participating suppliers to ensure transaction activity recorded within the VMS and supporting technologies is accurate and timely in support of business requirements. Supports the client’s RFP bidding process to include performing as a sourcing advisor, mediator, and negotiator on client project buyer’s behalf. Evaluates SOW agreement terms for conformity and compliance against client required contractual language and agreement structure; escalates deviations for client approvals / decision making. Develops deep competency knowledge of the program service supplier community to assist with sourcing recommendations. Performs analysis to include cost savings reporting and other quality or efficiency data to help improve operational processes. Provides program Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) training and updates to supplier and client project buyer community on a regular basis to ensure understanding and compliance of VMS technology use and overall program cadences. Communicates program procedural changes and updates to program suppliers and client users in a timely manner. Confirms suppliers appropriately manage their employee on-boarding, employee relations issues, and off-boarding activities. Provides and analyzes standard program reporting to client buyers and stakeholders, to include the support of ad hoc report requests as required. Supports the Operations Manager of Pontoon MSP (Pontoon Managed Service Program) in ensuring financial goals and objectives are met or exceeded as well as full compliance on all Pontoon policies and procedures. Assists in providing accurate, timely, and complete daily performance analyses. Builds relationships with the Operation Manager of Pontoon MSP and their areas of responsibility. Establishes and maintains a proactive, positive working relationship with client end users through regular phone and in-person contact. Performs site visits and promotes communication with the client end users within assigned market area or skill set. Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

About you

Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field with a minimum of three (3) years of procurement experience and a proven track record measured by customer service levels and satisfaction, increased responsibilities, and working relationships with colleagues and management. Previous experience as a buyer or in accounts payable along with experience working with SOW procurement agreements in an information technology or professional service organization is preferred. COMPETENCIES: Skilled in communicating effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to professionally and effectively represent the organization as required. Ability to perform accurately in a detailed environment while being able to effectively prioritize, organize and perform multiple work assignments simultaneously. Ability to self-manage workload, set target dates, meet deadlines, follow processes, and develop and implement project road maps to achieve optimum results. Ability to demonstrate high-level customer service to internal and external clients. Ability to effectively influence others at various levels within the organization and who represents clients. Ability to negotiate pricing and delivery terms with service supplier firms. Knowledge of and the ability to utilized best practices in purchasing, procurement and client negotiation. Knowledge of and the ability to effectively utilize accounts payable, purchase order, and Vendor Management Systems and tools. Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is between $57,000-$80,000. Salary may be determined based on experience, education, geographic location and other factors. This position participates in Pontoon's incentive program which also includes bonus eligibility.

Benefit offerings for full-time employment may include medical, dental, vision, term life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, commuter benefits, wellness plans, and reimbursement and retirement programs. Available paid leave may include paid time off, parental leave, and holiday pay.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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