ERM is at a pivotal point in the evolution of its global procurement function. As Global Procurement Director, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a critical leadership role in building, shaping, and scaling ERM’s global procurement capability while defining category strategy across a complex, global indirect and direct spend landscape—including field supplies, laboratories, travel, drilling services, and real estate.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
This role goes beyond traditional category management. You will establish the foundational structures of a global procurement function—including strategy, governance, operating model, analytics, and talent—while conducting rigorous internal and external analysis to assess total spend, prioritize sub‑categories, and determine where ERM should focus investment, governance, and transformation efforts.
From there, you will define category strategies and performance targets, and mobilize cross‑functional teams to execute at scale. This is a high‑impact role for a senior procurement leader who thrives in ambiguity and influence‑based environments—helping ERM unlock value, manage risk, and enable sustainable growth worldwide.
WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE
In this role, you will:
Build and embed ERM’s global procurement function, establishing category management disciplines, governance frameworks, analytics, and operating rhythms
Conduct internal and external analysis across key indirect and direct categories—including field supplies, laboratories, travel, drilling, and real estate—assessing demand, spend, supplier capability, market dynamics, and risk
Assess total global spend and prioritize sub‑categories based on value potential, operational criticality, maturity, and risk exposure
Define and operationalize global category strategies and target setting, covering cost optimization, value creation, service levels, sustainability, and supplier performance
Design scalable procurement processes and ways of working that enable consistent execution across regions and business units
Ramp up and lead cross‑functional teams (Procurement, Finance, Operations, EHS, IT, HR, Legal, and Business Leaders) to drive adoption and execution
Strengthen governance, analytics, and decision‑making discipline across the global procurement ecosystem
Build trusted partnerships with senior stakeholders by aligning procurement strategy to operational, commercial, and business priorities
Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing global procurement and category leadership team, building long‑term capability and succession
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Design, build, and embed a global procurement operating model, including category strategy, governance, analytics, and stakeholder engagement
Establish and implement global category strategies across indirect and direct procurement areas, including:
Field supplies
Laboratories
Travel
Drilling and field services
Real estate and facilities
Conduct comprehensive spend diagnostics and sub‑category segmentation to identify consolidation, optimization, standardization, and transformation opportunities
Lead internal stakeholder engagement and external market analysis to identify supplier options, innovation opportunities, and emerging risks
Set strategic targets and KPIs for each category, including savings, value delivery, service levels, risk mitigation, sustainability, and compliance
Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing initiatives (RFIs, RFPs, benchmarking, negotiations, and supplier selection)
Create and embed supplier lifecycle governance, from onboarding through performance management and offboarding
Oversee supplier risk, resilience, and compliance—particularly for operationally critical and field‑based categories
Provide executive‑level reporting, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership
Build global procurement capability, including developing category leaders, standardizing tools and methodologies, and driving consistency across regions
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
REQUIRED
Proven experience building, scaling, or transforming a global procurement function, including establishing category management, governance, analytics, and operating models
Demonstrated experience leading global indirect and direct procurement across complex categories such as field supplies, laboratories, travel, drilling services, and/or real estate
Strong expertise in spend analysis, category prioritization, and strategy development at enterprise scale
Demonstrated ability to define procurement strategy and targets, and lead execution through cross‑functional, matrixed teams
Deep understanding of supplier lifecycle management, governance, and risk—particularly in operational or field‑intensive environments
Financial acumen with the ability to clearly articulate procurement value, trade‑offs, and outcomes to executive leadership
Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills across regions and functions
Structured, proactive, and results‑oriented leadership approach, with comfort operating in ambiguity
PREFERRED
Direct experience standing up or materially evolving a procurement function in a transforming or growth‑oriented global organization
Experience managing travel, professional services, laboratories, field services, IT, or real estate portfolios in global environments
Consulting or advisory background supporting procurement transformation, category strategy, or spend diagnostics
Professional certification (CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent)
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Engineering, or related discipline (required)
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in global procurement, commercial, supply chain, and/or management consulting roles
Proven success managing multi‑million‑dollar global indirect and direct spend portfolios, including operational and field‑based categories
Demonstrated experience establishing procurement strategy, governance, and execution models within complex, matrixed global organizations
Consulting experience strongly preferred, including leading procurement transformation, category strategy, spend diagnostics, and executive‑level engagement
Strong commercial and financial acumen with a track record of translating strategy into execution and building high‑performing global teams
Who We Are:
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.
At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.
Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.
ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Thank you for your interest in ERM!