Supplier Manager, Strategic Sourcing and Partnerships

Building a Brand Starts with a Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. Operating as a full-service agency partner or through embedding specialist talent into client teams, FIRST brings brands and people together through creative, connected experiences.

FIRST works with clients across various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 150 Event Organizers & Agencies in the USA by Eventex, being listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2023, 2022 & 2021 by Chief Marketer, being recognized as one of the "50 Top Event Companies" by Special Events, being included in the Top 100 "Best Places to Work in NYC" by Crain's New York Business, and being listed as one of the "1000 Companies to Inspire Britain" by The London Stock Exchange Group.

FIRST also understands that businesses worldwide, including us, need to adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices. Our vision of sustainability at FIRST is about fostering a People centric, Purpose driven & Planet conscious culture.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com 

JOB SUMMARY

The role reports to the VP Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships to develop and support the Strategic Sourcing & Partnerships department. Ideally, the Manager will have indirect sourcing/procurement and/or supplier management experience, supporting internal clients, negotiating with, and managing suppliers to deliver a best-in-class sourcing function. Agency experience working with suppliers is a plus. The Manager will collaborate with department team members and key internal stakeholders (operations, legal, risk, finance and business unit heads) to establish, maintain and/or modify processes, systems and workflows.

This position will actively manage relationships with key suppliers, as well as partner closely with business/department leaders across FIRST to understand departmental goals and determine how the sourcing organization can best help to add value, reduce costs, increase efficiency, increase margins, drive revenue, and increase client satisfaction. The position will involve a level of data analysis and tracking of key data and KPIs and the manager will be relied upon to make and recommend business decisions based on their analysis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and analyze department reporting
• Recommend and implement changes that will enhance efficiency in how we manage and deal with suppliers
• Proactively involved in developing systems, processes and procedures which enhance performance and profitability
• Maintain oversight of the supplier onboarding process, working with key stakeholders to maximize system efficiency
• Optimise/rationalise assigned categories, including reviewing a category of suppliers and determining how many suppliers are required, reviewing existing suppliers to determine whether to continue the relationship or bring in new suppliers
• Negotiate supplier agreements that will lower FIRST’s operating costs, drive efficiency, and drive revenues in the form of commissions or rebates
• Prepare, execute and manage supplier RFPs, when necessary
• Develop and manage supplier relationship strategies
• Manage assigned supplier business reviews
• Ensure strategies are commercially focused and outcome-led
• Develop and manage supplier relationship strategies, including contract negotiation, fee structure, performance management and governance.
• Proactively identify and develop sourcing opportunities that will drive department and company goals
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with internal clients and stakeholders to support their goals
• Maintain Supplier Diversity program; monitor and report KPI’s for the program
• Promote and develop supplier relationships to provide added value to FIRST and our clients
• Internal key point of contact for specific business unit(s)
• Lead and/or participate in ad hoc projects as required

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Requires undergraduate degree level
• The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience
• Skilled in sourcing, negotiation, market/product/supplier analysis, and contract business terms development.
• Experience in an operational or supplier management role in a customer-centric business environment
• Sourcing/procurement experience and/or supplier management experience
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team in a multi-stakeholder environment
• Event, hospitality, or agency indirect sourcing experience is required
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload.
• Self-starter with demonstrated skills in driving initiatives, holding yourself and your team accountable for results and ensuring continuous improvement of processes/procedures 
• Strong collaboration, written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel

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