Sr. Manager, Strategic Procurement

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

The vision of Upwork’s Strategic Sourcing team is to create exceptional value for our stakeholders and vendors through expertise, excellence, and proactive collaboration that supports Upwork's industry-leading capabilities. We are on a mission to provide unparalleled strategic sourcing services, setting industry standards that fuel efficiency, innovation, sustainable growth, and a competitive edge for our stakeholders and the company.

As a Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing, you will be the catalyst for transformative change and breakthrough accomplishments within our organization. You will lead the charge in revolutionizing our sourcing strategies, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in procurement. In this role, you will champion innovation and ignite a culture of proactive collaboration, spurring cross-functional teams to come together in creative synergy to propel our sourcing capabilities to new heights.

Not only will the Senior Manager drive cost-efficiency and resource optimization, but will also infuse every sourcing initiative with a spirit of continuous improvement, aiming for nothing less than excellence. You will be a strategic visionary, aligning our procurement processes with organizational goals to accelerate growth and fortify our competitive advantage in the market.

Through your enthusiasm and leadership, the Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing will inspire our team to embrace change, embrace challenges, and aspire to be at the forefront of strategic sourcing innovation. Your contributions will resonate throughout the organization and lead to a true sourcing revolution.

Your Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the development and implementation of dynamic, cutting-edge strategic sourcing strategies crafted to align with the organization's ambitious goals, supercharging the effectiveness of our sourcing team.
• Negotiate game-changing contracts with our vendors, optimizing not just costs, but also ensuring top-notch quality, elevated service levels, and the integration of the latest technological advancements.
• Craft processes that mirror our fast-moving culture, empowering lightning-speed decision-making and adaptability to changes in the market. Your innovative touch will keep us steps ahead.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Legal, InfoSec, Engineering, and Finance, to align sourcing strategies with our business needs, ensuring smooth integration and implementation for successful outcomes.
• Develop strategic relationships and skillfully negotiate contracts and terms to deliver substantial value to the organization.
• Develop and utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess supplier performance, procurement efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, aiming for continuous improvement and enhanced efficiency.
• Conduct market analysis to explore industry trends, pricing dynamics, and vendor capabilities, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making.
• Mentor and cultivate a team of strategic sourcing champions, fostering a culture of collaboration, idea incubation, and a strong desire for continuous learning and development.
• Ensure alignment with financial targets and organizational objectives and reinforce confidence around budgets, spend predictability, cost optimization, and budget compliance.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• You have a well-developed understanding of the tech industry, its products, services, and emerging technologies, including familiarity with tech components, software, hardware, licensing agreements, and cloud-based solutions.
• You are highly adaptable and agile and thrive in an environment of rapid change, uncertainty, and evolving market dynamics; you are comfortable with quickly pivoting strategies, embracing new tools and methodologies, and responding to shifts in demand or supply.
• You have a well-developed ability to influence and persuade stakeholders to align with sourcing strategies and decisions; you understand the motivations and drivers of various stakeholders, present compelling arguments, and demonstrate the value and benefits that strategic sourcing can bring to the organization.
• You have exceptional negotiation skills and can negotiate favorable terms, cost improvements, and innovative solutions that improve the company’s profitability and performance. 

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