Associate Specialist - Business Services Category Manager - Procurement

About Northern Trust:
Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889. Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

• Develop and execute best‑in‑class procurement practices for HR, Marketing, and Business Services‑related vendors, including effective sourcing processes, category sourcing strategies, and sustainable purchasing methods.
• Ensure adherence to core procurement processes and infrastructure to effectively manage procurement activities across all spending categories.
• Lead and support programs that promote supplier diversity, including minority‑, small‑, women‑, and disadvantaged‑owned businesses.
• Develop, implement, and communicate an overall procurement strategy aligned with both Business Unit objectives and the Corporation’s strategic plan.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of performance management and career development processes, and provide training on core procurement processes when required.
• Lead the development of sourcing strategies, including the collection and analysis of key data and insights to support category analytics, pricing evaluations, and negotiations.
• Lead and manage RFx processes (e.g., Requests for Proposal, Information, and Quotation), including project management, RFx development, supplier negotiations, evaluation, and award recommendations.
• Oversee contract review, drafting, and execution of agreements such as Non‑Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Master Agreements, and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Lead contract and pricing negotiations and manage ongoing contract administration.
• Ensure compliance with established procurement policies, processes, and procedures.
• Support and monitor supplier performance and contract compliance through supplier activity reporting, business and performance reviews, scorecards, supplier rationalization initiatives, and demand management opportunities.
• Support regulatory and compliance requirements, including OFAC, FCPA, spend analysis, and client relationship standards.
• Manage and report procurement performance metrics and provide ongoing support for both internal and external audit requests.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key business partners by educating stakeholders on procurement policies and guidelines and resolving purchasing issues as needed.
• Utilize and maintain strong working knowledge of procurement‑related ERP and contract management systems (e.g., Coupa, People Soft).
• Partner with business stakeholders to develop and implement strategies and solutions that enhance existing services, introduce new services, or improve processes.
• Assess the impact of changes and facilitate adoption through effective training and communication. Provide ongoing post‑implementation support.

• Knowledge of HR, Marketing and other professional business services and third‑party vendors that support these categories of spend.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt effectively in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to establish objectives and drive results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of contract terms and conditions and their legal and business implications.
• In‑depth conceptual and practical knowledge within the procurement discipline, with foundational knowledge of related functional areas.
• Ability to apply best practices and understand how procurement integrates with other business functions.
• Proven ability to communicate complex or sensitive information and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply…