Manager, Procurement & Strategic Vendor Management

Dentons US LLP is currently recruiting for a Procurement & Strategic Vendor Management (SVM) Manager. Chicago is the preferred location; however, strong candidates in other locations will also be considered. This position works with all vendors to ensure that proper set up and purchasing policies are implemented throughout the Firm; to negotiate favorable contracts for the Firm on all key vendor relationships; manage the Firm's relationships with internal and external resources as it relates to the vendor set up and maintenance process, and partner with our vendors to ensure good relations from a financial and operational perspective. This position reports to the Senior Director, Financial Programs.ResponsibilitiesProcurement & Strategic SourcingDevelop, lead and execute procurement strategiesProvide broad direction and delegate objectives for multiple SVM and procurement disciplinesPerform all procurement and contracting activities including pre-qualification, negotiation and preparation of contracts working with assigned lead teamAssist in managing transitional career and learning opportunities for SVM and Procurement teamDrive best purchasing practices across Dentons US departments while leveraging best business processes to achieve measurable invoice routingAnalyze firmwide spending data to identify consolidation opportunities, cost savings, standardization opportunities, and supplier riskDevelop and report procurement KPIs, including cost savings, cost avoidance, contract compliance, supplier performance, procurement cycle time, and risk mitigation metricsDirect end-to-end RFI and RFP assessment processes, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to define requirements, evaluate proposals, and establish vendor rankingsContract Lifecycle Management Lead negotiation of master service agreements, statements of work, licensing agreements, and purchasing contractsManage vendor life cycle: on-boarding through off-boardingIdentify opportunities beyond current scope of work to improve process flowDrive seamless purchasing process and efficiencies through processDevelop key relationships with business stakeholders and strategic supply partners to strengthen the Firm’s standingManage all key contracts tracked in the Contract Management System for renewals to ensure there are no lapsed contracts and renewals are negotiated to obtain best price and servicesVendor Management Develop, manage and execute all key vendor relationships and contracts, negotiate favorable pricingOversee supplier onboarding, performance monitoring, contract compliance, and renewal management.Analyze vendor activity, research "Best in Class" vendors to provide needed sourcing and recommend key vendor relationshipsConduct business review meetings with key stakeholders to assess risk, review future strategies and identify potential savings and improvementsProvide quarterly reviews for management on purchasing savings, risk assessmentsCollaborate with global procurement team members when Dentons US is included in global contracts and/or other requests for proposalsProcess Improvement & TechnologyIdentify opportunities to streamline procurement workflows and improve purchasing efficiencyImplement and manage procurement technologies, contract repositories, supplier databases, and reporting toolsDevelop dashboards and reporting capabilities providing visibility into spending patterns, supplier performance, and savings resultsMaintain real time awareness of vendor performance, deadline management for supplier and contract renewal opportunities, and maintain and enhance the Firm’s vendor experience wherever possibleChampion continuous improvement initiatives across the procurement lifecycleOther duties as needed to fully meet the requirements of the roleExperience & QualificationsBachelor’s degree or equivalent experience8+ years progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, vendor management, finance operations, or a related field, including experience negotiating complex service and technology agreementsExperience within a law firm, professional services organization, or other matrixed enterprise environment strongly preferredProficiency in all discipline areas: Accounts Payable, Finance, Vendor RelationsFluency in complex issue resolution and decision making skills, including effective interactions with Firm counsel relating to protecting the Firm’s position in negotiations and other vendor compliance issuesNegotiations and influencing skillsExcellent communication, relationship building and interpersonal skillsProficient in excel, knowledge of AccessKnowledge of and proficiency with appropriate AI tools to enhance efficiency and performanceSalaryPursuant with states' laws, the salary range for this position is $120,000 - $145,000, based on experience and local market. Dentons US LLP offers a competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, profit sharing, short-term/long-term disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses. Dentons US LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability/Vet. Pursuant to local ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity at Dentons US, LLP, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please call our Talent Acquisition Lead at or contact us at About DentonsRedefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit