Job Description

Job Summary

Leads the development, implementation and ongoing management of procurement Level 3* category strategies at a local, regional or group-wide level for a portfolio of goods and services in line with Group Procedures. Works with stakeholders (functional, procurement and supplier), to develop strategy and tactics for procurement category and initiatives, provides thought leadership; identifies, creates and implements initiatives to maximize value and ensure ongoing management of supplier contracts and relationships. Project manages work-streams and initiatives within the category to ensure timely delivery of objectives, ensuring all necessary Stage Gate processes, including formal stakeholder approvals are completed.

This job comprises of four key activities:

1. Procurement Level 3 category strategy
2. Sourcing of goods and services
3. Procurement-led change
4. Contract management

*Level 3 refers to the category taxonomy used across Group Procurement.

Job Responsibilities

Level 3 Category Strategy

* Manages stakeholders (functional, procurement and supplier), defines and implements effective Level 3 (product/service level) category strategies to deliver a program of transformation and risk mitigation; obtaining buy-in at each necessary step of the process.
* Challenges the balance between cost and service ensuring value for money.
* Shares best practices and learning across categories, geographies and teams.

Sourcing of Goods and Services

* Develops and implements a sourcing process that delivers the right level of service and commercial outcomes through planning, defining business needs, assessing supply market, defining strategy, execution, supplier selection and contracting.
* Ensures supplier priorities and capacities are aligned, identifies options, risks and mitigations.
* Secures formal stakeholder approvals for supplier selection recommendations as required.

Procurement-Led Change

* Leverages changes in supply market and demand conditions to deliver innovative services and commercial solutions.
* Identifies and implements opportunities to improve service and reduce costs by challenging and continuously improving the what, how, when, where and why goods and services are purchased.

Contract Management

* Ensures all contract obligations are fulfilled, risks are mitigated and contracts remain valid throughout their lifecycle. Holds internal organization and suppliers accountable for their actions.
* Defines and executes a contract management program, while ensuring continuous improvement, variance management, contract compliance and governance for nominated suppliers to guarantee that the appropriate value is secured from contracts.
* Expands high performing supplier relationships to maximize value for WBA.

Procurement Expertise

* Acts as a subject matter expert in category management, sourcing, procurement-led change and contract management.
* Navigates procurement across an international & multi-site operation. Drives procurement-led change through their own initiatives. Utilizes market and business intelligence, shapes the strategic Level 3 category agenda whilst also delivering on their initiative plans.
* Leads negotiations and ensures the effective conclusion of commercial and service arrangements that meet the needs of the business.
* Leverages procurement toolbox (spend data analytics, GNFR pipeline, contracts database, e-procurement etc.) to optimize results.
* Constructs and concludes commercial contracts in collaboration with the Legal team to ensure commercial and service requirements are captured, while mitigating against risk. Communicates to all levels of the organization to ensure all stakeholders are informed.

Commercial

* Makes recommendations leverages commercial expertise to optimize project design and minimize project duration and cost.
* Streamlines business processes; researches and acts upon information on industry category trends and best practices.
* Utilizes multiple financial models (e.g. total cost of ownership, net present value) to assess commercial options and risks.

Stakeholder Engagement

* Navigates and influences a multi-functional/multi-cultural international stakeholder (functional, procurement and supplier), environment.
* Manages stakeholders operates at multiple levels within the organization and with suppliers; challenges, holds to account, effectively influences others in their way of thinking, remains sensitive to stakeholders challenges and is able to take people with them; forms effective relationships.
* Acts as an expert in collaborating with internal and external resources to develop initiatives that meet departmental goals within budget and established timelines.
* Shares category vision demonstrating a passion with discipline and an ambition for procurement and categories; influences and inspires others to engage and participate.

Project Management

* Manages complex project initiatives and other work to schedule; managing risk, opportunities, resources and costs to achieve the right outcome, on cost and on schedule.

Strategic Thinking & Strategy Development Level 3 Categories
* Analyzes and problem solves category opportunities; compares and contrasts/evaluates options and selects the optimal solution. Utilizes spend information/data, business knowledge and market insight to identify opportunities for sourcing projects and initiatives.
* Applies domain expertise to develop the best way forward; explains why the way forward makes best sense; encourages others to adopt.
* Escalates problems when necessary and provides solution recommendations.

Informally Leading Teams

* Leads teams across multiple business units and/or countries and navigates cultural differences to ensure timely and appropriate conclusions.
* Provides leadership and guidance to the team, understands their teams strengths, weaknesses and motivations.
* Develops and mentors staff through open communication and training and development opportunities; builds and maintains employee morale and motivation, while fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. May advise on policies and procedures internally and externally resources.

Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy. Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health, beauty and retail destination supporting communities across the country, and was named to FORTUNE* magazines 2019 Companies that Change the World list. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day. As of August 31, 2019, Walgreens operates 9,277 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Walgreens also provides specialty pharmacy and mail services and offers in-store clinics and other health care services throughout the United States, most of which are operated by our health care strategic partners.