Procurement & Strategic Vendor Management; SVM) Manager

Dentons US LLP is currently recruiting for a Procurement & Strategic Vendor Management (SVM) Manager. Chicago is the preferred location; however, strong candidates in other locations will also be considered. This position works with all vendors to ensure that proper set up and purchasing policies are implemented throughout the Firm; to negotiate favorable contracts for the Firm on all key vendor relationships;

manage the Firm's relationships with internal and external resources as it relates to the vendor set up and maintenance process, and partner with our vendors to ensure good relations from a financial and operational perspective. This position reports to the Senior Director, Financial Programs.

• Develop, lead and execute procurement strategies
• Provide broad direction and delegate objectives for multiple SVM and procurement disciplines
• Perform all procurement and contracting activities including pre-qualification, negotiation and preparation of contracts working with assigned lead team
• Assist in managing transitional career and learning opportunities for SVM and Procurement team
• Drive best purchasing practices across Dentons US departments while leveraging best business processes to achieve measurable invoice routing
• Analyze firmwide spending data to identify consolidation opportunities, cost savings, standardization opportunities, and supplier risk
• Develop and report procurement KPIs, including cost savings, cost avoidance, contract compliance, supplier performance, procurement cycle time, and risk mitigation metrics
• Direct end-to-end RFI and RFP assessment processes, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to define requirements, evaluate proposals, and establish vendor rankings

• Lead negotiation of master service agreements, statements of work, licensing agreements, and purchasing contracts
• Manage vendor life cycle: on-boarding through off-boarding
• Identify opportunities beyond current scope of work to improve process flow
• Drive seamless purchasing process and efficiencies through process
• Develop key relationships with business stakeholders and strategic supply partners to strengthen the Firm’s standing
• Manage all key contracts tracked in the Contract Management System for renewals to ensure there are no lapsed contracts and renewals are negotiated to obtain best price and services
• Develop, manage and execute all key vendor relationships and contracts, negotiate favorable pricing
• Oversee supplier onboarding, performance monitoring, contract compliance, and renewal management.
• Analyze vendor activity, research "Best in Class" vendors to provide needed sourcing and recommend key vendor relationships
• Conduct business review meetings with key stakeholders to assess risk, review future strategies and identify potential savings and improvements
• Provide quarterly reviews for management on purchasing savings, risk assessments
• Collaborate with global procurement team members when Dentons US is included in global contracts and/or other requests for proposals

• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement workflows and improve purchasing efficiency
• Implement and manage procurement technologies, contract repositories, supplier databases, and reporting tools
• Develop dashboards and reporting capabilities providing visibility into spending patterns, supplier performance, and savings results
• Maintain real time awareness of vendor performance, deadline management for supplier and contract renewal opportunities, and maintain and enhance the Firm’s vendor experience wherever possible
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across the procurement lifecycle
• Other duties as needed to fully meet the…