Global Procurement Specialist

Job Description

At Norton Rose Fulbright, people thrive because of a shared commitment to quality, unity and integrity. The highly regarded law firm consistently receives recognition from Great Place to Work and Top Workplaces, two companies that specialize in assessing organizational culture. Teams collaborate across regions, value new ideas and deliver meaningful client solutions, supported by a culture that embraces ambition, development and shared success.

With more than 3,000 lawyers and 3,000 business services professionals working together across 50 offices worldwide, this global law firm provides a full range of legal services to leading corporations and financial institutions operating in key markets and sectors.

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for acquiring goods and services for the firm in a cost effective and efficient manner. This role is crucial to ensuring that the firm has the necessary resources to operate effectively whilst maintaining budgetary constraints. The role scope encompasses a wide range of activities, including onboarding new suppliers, negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships and ensuring compliance with procurement policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, negotiation skills, and a proven ability to drive efficiency and cost savings.

This position reports to the Manager, Procurement. This position is ideally located in Houston, Texas. The role will require presence in office from time to time pursuant to the firm’s hybrid work policy.

Conducting market research and identifying potential suppliers by evaluating their capabilities. This involves issuing:

• Request for Information (RFI) to research a supplier’s business, offerings and solutions.
• Request for Proposal (RFP) which is used to evaluate responses to structured and formally documented project requirements, potentially leading to vendor selection.
• Request for Quote (RFQ) to compare pricing and product specifications.

To secure favorable terms and conditions, including pricing and payment terms.

• Negotiate strong commercials, with cost savings and cost avoidance where possible.
• Negotiate strong contractual terms and conditions which fit within stakeholder requirements, and comply with relevant laws and regulations, by collaborating with General Counsel, NRF’s Data Protection Officer and Information Security team.
• Manage contract and vendor through life cycle.
• Liaise with stakeholders at all levels to ensure best outcome is achieved on all contracts.

Maintaining vendor contact details, related documentation and work with other Procurement colleagues to keep contract database updated.

• Act as an advisor for stakeholders to ensure they understand what their contract does and doesn’t include.
• Help train and mentor technical staff to have a better commercial understanding.
• Run financial credentials checks.
• Work with manager to improve and implement procurement processes.
• Work with manager and stakeholders on strategic contract management.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors to ensure supply chain reliability. Regularly communicate with suppliers to address issues, monitor supplier performance and explore opportunities to collaborate, leading to better services levels and innovation.

• Maintaining existing key vendor relationships and onboarding new suppliers as required.
• Run periodic contract governance meetings as required.

Ensure that all procurement activities comply with internal policies, procedures, and external regulations, including adhering to ethical standards, managing risks associated with supplier performance and ensuring contracts are legally sound.

Liaise with vendors for quotations, ensuring they can meet all our requirements and ensuring prices are competitive.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders to ensure procurement processes are followed and deadlines are achieved.
• Follow governance processes to ensure correct approvals are obtained.
  
  Creating Purchase…