Associate Director - Procurement

About the Role

The Associate Director - Procurement is an integral part of Latham’s Global Finance team. This role will be responsible for the direct management of the Procurement team and provides support and guidance to those personnel, outside of the procurement function, who are involved in contracting, buying, and other spend activities, while ensuring all procurement developments and procedures are designed and created to support firm strategy, reduce spend, and provide effective process and systems to support contracting and buying activities.

This role continuously looks for ways to develop the procurement function to maturity, executes on transformation activities as required, drives spend optimization, and is viewed as a strategic business partner of the firm. This role will be located in our Global Services Office in Downtown Los Angeles. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in‑office presence.

• Providing strategic direction and support to the firm regarding supplier and risk management, contract negotiation, procurement operations (procure‑to‑pay), category management / strategic sourcing, contracts administration, asset management, and analytics regarding these areas.
• Leading firm‑wide procurement related projects to completion.
• Building and sustaining a high‑performing procurement organization and team.
• Communicating procurement activities and vision/roadmap to all relevant stakeholders in the organization on a regular basis.
• Helping sustain a robust vendor management program in partnership with business stakeholders, the vendor risk management function, and a global accounts payable team.
• Staying abreast of current and new procurement related tools, technologies, and market trends as they relate and are relevant to the firm.
• Guiding other firm personnel involved in negotiating contracts or buying activities including providing training in best practices, process support, and other activities in furthering the firm's policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains.

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Possess excellent leadership skills, and the ability to lead a team (e.g., organizing, planning, problem‑solving, and decision‑making) necessary for effective management, in addition to the ability to manage work of others to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Exhibit knowledge of project management principles and program management experience.
• Demonstrate the ability to undertake large, long‑term projects, develop alternative methods for completion, and implement solutions.
• Display a strong interest, understanding and passion for procurement technology, including artificial intelligence, and the ability to leverage these capabilities to drive transformation and influence internal adoption.

And have:

• A Bachelor's degree with a concentration in business administration, preferably.
• An MBA or advanced degree in business, finance or supply chain, or other relevant discipline, preferably.
• A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience of indirect procurement in a similar‑sized organization and industry.
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in a procurement leadership role with demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team, with accountability, strategic planning, and budgeting.

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance.
• A generous 401k plan.
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure.
• Well‑being programs (e.g., mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well‑being events, and more).
• Profe…