Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Professional Services

Who are we?Cohere is the leading security-first enterprise AI company. We build cutting-edge foundation AI models and end-to-end products that are designed to solve real-world business problems.We’re training and deploying frontier models for enterprises who are building AI systems. We believe that our work is instrumental to the widespread adoption of AI and we are looking for folks that want to be part of that.We obsess over what we build. Each one of us is responsible for contributing to increasing the capabilities of our models and the value they drive for our customers. Cohere is a team of researchers, engineers, designers, and more, who are all passionate about their craft.We are a global technology company headquartered in Toronto with key offices in London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin and Seoul. Join us!Why This Role:Cohere seeks a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to manage our Professional Services Procurement function. In this role you will be responsible for executing Strategic Sourcing activities across these categories as we continue to grow rapidly. You will collaborate with FP&A, Accounting, Legal, and multiple business stakeholders to support our Procurement operations. This is an opportunity for a hands-on Procurement professional who thrives in a high-growth environment, is comfortable navigating ambiguity, and can help implement efficient processes. You’ll be instrumental in building Procurement categories for Professional Services spend and owning their development and optimization. You’ll have the opportunity to establish best practices, drive significant cost savings, and create strategic partnerships with key service providers that support our business growth.Contract Terms:This is a 12-month fixed-term contract position with the potential for conversion to a permanent role based on business needs and performance. Please note that conversion to a permanent position is not automatic and will be subject to a separate evaluation process and mutual agreement between the candidate and Cohere. This arrangement provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities and contribute to our strategic procurement initiatives while allowing both parties to assess long-term fit.Key Responsibilities:Manage Procurement & Sourcing activities for Professional Services categories including Consulting, Marketing (events, media, services), Legal, Communications and other external servicesDevelop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize costs and service qualityOwn the end-to-end Procurement lifecycle from needs assessment to contract executionLead and manage the complete RFP/RFQ process from development through vendor evaluation and selectionDevelop and implement category management strategies across Professional ServicesConduct comprehensive market research, competitive analysis, and supplier benchmarkingDrive cost optimization initiatives and track savings realizationAnalyze spending patterns and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvementsManage contract lifecycle including renewals, amendments, and terminationsManage vendor relationships and negotiations for Professional Services providersEvaluate vendor performance and conduct strategic sourcing initiativesEnsure compliance with Procurement policy and regulationsBridge the gap between Procurement and Accounting to ensure proper PO management and payment processesMaintain robust documentation and internal controlsCollaborate with cross-functional teams (FP&A, Accounting, Legal, business stakeholders) to align Procurement strategies with Business objectivesPrepare reports on Procurement performance, savings, and Vendor ManagementQualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Finance, Business or related field8-10 years of progressive procurement experienceProven experience leading Procurement for Professional Services categoriesStrong Strategic Sourcing and negotiation skillsExperience managing vendor relationships and contractsDemonstrated experience in category management and strategic sourcing methodologiesStrong risk assessment and mitigation skills for supplier selectionAbility to conduct market research, benchmarking, RFPs, and competitive analysisExperience with supplier evaluation, selection, and performance managementProven track record of cost optimization and savings achievementProficiency in procurement software and ERP systems (Omnea preferred)Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilitiesStrong communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to influence stakeholders and drive procurement initiativesExperience with P2P (procure to pay) processesProfessional certification in procurement or supply chain (preferred)Full-Time Employees at Cohere enjoy these Perks:A weekly lunch stipend of $75/£75 or equivalent in your local currency for lunch.Full health and dental benefits, including a separate budget for mental health.RRSP matching, 401K, Pension Scheme.100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months, for either parent.Annual enrichment benefits:Arts & culture, fitness/wellness, quality time, and a workspace improvement credit.Education & learning stipend for conferences, courses, and coaching.6 weeks of paid vacation (30 working days!)Budget for traveling to other offices if you are remote, plus an annual company offsite.How and Where We Work:Cohere is remote-friendly, but we also have offices in Toronto, London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin and Seoul with more opening soon.For those in the office: a daily lunch program, plenty of snacks, and regular community and social events.For those not near an office: a co-working benefit so you can work alongside others in your city.Everyone receives a $500 home office stipend to set up your workspace properly.If any of the above doesn’t line up exactly with your experience, we still encourage you to apply. We strive to create an inclusive work environment for all; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to providing equal opportunities. Should you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please submit an Accommodations Request Form, and we will work together to meet your needs.We may use AI-enabled tools to screen and assess applicants against the criteria for this position. This helps our recruiters identify potentially qualified candidates, but it doesn't limit the applications our recruiters may review or consider.Beware of Scams: Cohere will never ask for payment or third-party services (e.g., CV writing) as part of our hiring process. All legitimate roles are listed on the Cohere careers page and LinkedIn only, with all communications from Cohere employees coming from an ****** or ****** email alias. If jobs are viewed on other sites then please verify these through our official careers page.