Strategic Sourcing Manager

Xero is a beautiful, easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping advisors grow and thrive.

At Xero, our purpose is to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. This purpose sits at the centre of everything we do. We support our people to do the best work of their lives so that they can help small businesses succeed through better tools, information and connections. Because when they succeed they make a difference, and when millions of small businesses are making a difference, the world is a more beautiful place.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high performing procurement team in a company that is purpose driven.

The role will advise on and execute commercial, procurement and contracting arrangements with Xero’s suppliers and third parties. You will work with internal business customers to develop and manage sourcing projects, lead negotiations and agree, implement and execute appropriate supplier agreements.

Supporting the Head of Strategic Sourcing to continuously improve Xero’s commercial position, you will work closely together with the Strategic Sourcing Managers and Procurement Business Partners to drive a whole-of-company approach, improve our commercial position and protect or leverage our assets.

You will be a champion of innovative sourcing approaches and positive social & environmental outcomes. Recognising the decentralised nature of Xero’s commercial arrangements and knowledge within geographically distinct markets, you will partner with and support Xero’s global team.

**What you'll do..**:

- Execute on Xero’s commercial and procurement priorities as guided by the GM Procurement. You will also drive strategic initiatives as identified by the Head of Strategic Sourcing, Procurement Business Partners or yourself.
- Ensure company-wide sourcing initiatives meet Xero’s business needs (e.g. flexibility, appropriate risk and cost outcomes, leveraging strategic supply relationships, social & environmental impact) and deliver value for money.
- Develop, execute and manage sourcing projects as agreed with the Head of Strategic Sourcing or in conjunction with the Procurement Business Partner(s) - including but not limited to sourcing events, supplier negotiations and contract execution & management.
- Work with the finance team to develop a pipeline of projects, to improve planning, maximise Xero-wide economies of scope/scale and reduce unplanned spend.
- Provide information during budgeting and forecasting processes, supporting the assessment of the impact of commercial decisions.
- Provide input to reports on progress against priorities/projects and cost targets.
- Develop and draft SLAs in conjunction with the business users for contracts and statements of work.
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and third parties.
- Ensure Xero’s supplier selection is aligned with our brand, values and corporate social responsibility.
- Challenge and support the business to improve supplier evaluation, engagement, monitoring and performance management and reduce the total cost of ownership.
- Work with the business and legal team to provide commercial advice and support for new and existing contracts to ensure terms and conditions are robust and fit for purpose.
- Be a trusted advisor to stakeholders across high expenditure business units such as technology and marketing.
- Help individuals and suppliers resolve issues with empathy, exchange ideas, demonstrate conflict management skills.

**What you'll bring with you...**:

- 5-8 years in procurement, contract management or category management in a medium to large sized company. If you have lesser years experience but feel you fit the brief please do apply.
- Demonstrated experience executing a range of procurement activities throughout the procurement lifecycle from pre to post contract.
- Commercial negotiation expertise is essential.
- Experience in creating business documentation including presentation material is highly desirable.
- Exposure to a broad range of software tools and technologies supporting procurement is highly desirable
- You will bring commercial acumen, strong negotiation experience and the ability to manage a diverse stakeholder group.
- Degree in business, economics, logistics or analytics is desirable.

Along with the above you will have great communication skills and the ability to positively influence both internal customers and external suppliers. You will bring positive enthusiasm and have a results driven mindset. In return we can provide an awesome work environment, super passionate and fun team and some really amazing benefits. Along with that we are pretty great #humans to work with

Our collaborative and inclusive culture is one we’re immensely proud of. We know that a diverse workforce is a strength that enables businesses, including ours, to better understand and serve customers, attract top t