Procurement Specialist

RELX Global Procurement is structured along spend categories. Reporting to the CPO are Category leads for Direct Spend (Content Acquisition and Development, Content Operations, PPB and Distribution), Technology, Indirect Spend (Travel, Marketing, Consulting, External Labour etc.) and PMO together with a CFO. This role is part of the Direct Spend Category, directly reports into the Procurement Manager, Direct Spend Print, Paper and Distribution and administratively reports to REPH Business Continuity Manager.

About the Role:

The RELX Global Procurement (GP) function is a strategic procurement organization with global responsibilities for the sourcing of direct and indirect spend. The successful candidate will be a member of the Direct Spend team. 

This position is responsible for enabling and supporting the strategic sourcing process in the areas of Print, Paper, and Distribution. Efforts shall be focused on analyzing this area of spend and required services, conducting sourcing projects, supporting suppliers to meet requirements for risk management and sustainability goals, and identifying opportunities for cost savings and innovations. This position shall liaise with Procurement colleagues in crossover areas of like activities engaging Business Stakeholders to understand the needs of the business and drive collaboration in complying with procurement policies and initiatives.  This position would also lead the reporting for paper usage to meet 100% compliance for certified sustainable paper.

The key objectives are:

• Develop, manage and execute procurement projects, based on category strategies formed from relevant analytics of procurement spend and activities, demonstrating strong knowledge in Distribution, Logistics, Printing and utilizing strategic sourcing processes.

• Identify, evaluate and recommend business process improvement opportunities to business stakeholders, utilizing expert procurement knowledge, current and emerging business models and creative business approaches.

• Provide strategic procurement support to Business units, functions and subsidiaries.

• Drive and lead change management with minimal disruption and maximum effect.

• Lead collection of paper usage consumption from suppliers to review and ensure progress towards full achievement of 100% sustainable and certified paper for book and journal products.

Main Tasks and Accountabilities:

• Spend Category Management: Assess opportunities to develop procurement/sourcing strategies aimed at generating value and savings for all aspects of print production and distribution/fulfillment. Develop annual cost savings programs aligned with the business strategies that impact company financial results and growth plans. Review and participate in building direct cost models for strategic print initiatives such as print-on-demand for books

• Data, Trends, Analyses. Create spend reports from RELX Procurement system, tools and other sources to identify trends for cost savings opportunities. Request additional information as appropriate to do in-depth analysis. Provide recommendations and support to businesses on projects, inclusive of relevant information, key issues and recommended courses of action directly related to solutions.

• Project Management. Manage sourcing activities (RFI/RFP/e-auctions) coordinating with Procurement colleagues to build event within e-sourcing platform. Complete required documentation and communication plans. Provide strong project management and expertise/guidance for the implementation of plans and achievement of objectives. Develop project plans and milestones and drive outcomes. Use standardized procurement project implementation plans across RELX business areas. Complete projects to final contract execution.

• Systems and Tools. Ensure that all relevant processes, systems and tools are used effectively, and that relevant projects are listed in the Global Procurement Propipeline database with all fields updated accordingly.

• Process Improvements. Participate in the on-going improvement and cost effectiveness of procurement service delivery by complying with all internal procurement systems and process improvements and monitoring best practices. Participate in re-engineering efforts to improve business practices. Support analysis on work processes and procedures and recommend changes to improve the effectiveness of the organization. Create an environment of continuous improvement.

• Cost Savings. Contribute to Global cost savings goals through successful identification and completion of cost savings projects within assigned Distribution and Printing activities.

• Supplier Management. Manage supplier relationships to consistently deliver value based on best practice and business ethics. Implements an effective Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Programme for all relevant suppliers. Comply with processes and tools for standardized supplier categorization (Critical, Strategic, Preferred, Approved), performance metrics, including benchmarking against similar industries and best practices.

• Strategy. Develop strategies for assigned activities, consistent and support overall strategy of the Global Direct Spend category strategy.

• Training and Communication. Communicate best procurement practices and policies, and provide communication and training to teams, customers and procurement professionals, as appropriate.

• Compliance and Demand Management. Devise strategies and work with Business stakeholder to increase compliance and manage demand through the selection and use of fit for purpose materials, services, and emerging technologies and innovation.

Key Relationships:
Internal Working Relationships

• Global Direct Spend Category colleagues and cross-team collaboration
• Operations and Product Management departments & budget owners in Legal and PMO teams for contract drafting, negotiation and monitoring
• Finance team for savings tracking
• Internal Audit for compliance and fiduciary controls
• Corporate Social Responsibility team for supplier code of conduct, social responsibility audits and Paper-related environmental criteria

 External Working Relationships

• Management of suppliers; requires ability to effectively monitor and manage multiple complex vendor relationships

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree holder
• experience in Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
• Proficiency in Excel, Tableau. 
• The successful candidate will likely have 3-5 years of work experience and strong knowledge of supply chain procurement.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, supply chain, and business process improvement, as well as process and tools experience
• General procurement experience and expertise
• Critical thinking to assess situations and solve problems.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills that can be used to coordinate projects, and drive initiatives
• Excellent communication skills is critical
• Experience in supporting or leading RFP's, RFI's and RFQ's to suppliers
• Excellent quantitative/analytical skills
• Excellent project management skills; able to work independently on self-selected tasks.
• Excellent people management and development skills especially with remote or long-distance employees
• Knowledge of print production, distribution, logistics, warehousing and experience with Microsoft Power BI and Oracle Fusion preferred.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply enterprise AI tools and technologies to support technical workflows and business objectives.

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