Job Title: Procurement Manager

Work Location: Seattle, WA 98158 (Onsite)

Duration: 12-month contract

Job Description:

• The Procurement Operations & Process Improvement Specialist will provide dedicated leadership and execution support for procurement operations during a period of significant organizational transformation. This contractor will support the Procurement organization through driving process improvements, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence initiatives.

• This role is responsible for identifying opportunities, developing solutions, influencing stakeholders, and driving sustainable adoption across the business. Success requires a unique blend of procurement expertise, operational leadership, process improvement, communication, change management, and execution. The ideal candidate is highly adaptable, operates with a strong ownership mentality, and can achieve results through influence, collaboration, and credibility.

• The individual will partner closely with Procurement leadership, Buyers, third-party procurement support resources, Accounts Payable, business stakeholders, and Supply Chain leaders to improve procurement performance and business compliance while establishing Procurement as a trusted Center of Excellence.

Primary Objectives

• The contractor will be accountable for delivering measurable improvements in procurement effectiveness and operational performance, including:

Spend Under Purchase Order

• Increase Spend Under PO

• Identify sources of spend leakage and non-compliant purchasing activity.

• Develop and execute remediation strategies in partnership with Procurement and business stakeholders.

• Establish reporting, tracking, and governance mechanisms to sustain improvements.

Match Exception Reduction

• Reduce invoice and purchase order match exceptions

• Partner with Buyers to resolve current issues while identifying root causes.

• Develop sustainable solutions to prevent recurring exceptions.

• Improve processes related to funding management, receipts, supplier invoicing, and requisition quality.

• Create training, documentation, and governance mechanisms that drive long-term improvement.

Procurement Operating Model Optimization

• Define and implement clear operating boundaries between Procurement Buyers and third-party procurement support resources.

• Clarify ownership, workflows, escalation paths, and service expectations.

• Improve consistency, efficiency, and accountability across all procurement support activities.

• Design and implement process improvements that support scalability and operational excellence.

Procurement Center of Excellence Development

• Lead Procurement 101 roadshows and educational sessions for business stakeholders.

• Develop training materials that improve understanding of procurement processes, policies, and expectations.

• Increase organizational compliance through education rather than enforcement.

• Help establish Procurement as a trusted advisor and strategic business partner.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement Operations Improvement Leadership

• Serve as the day-to-day operational lead for key procurement improvement initiatives.

• Identify and prioritize operational improvement opportunities.

• Develop and execute action plans aligned with strategic procurement objectives.

• Monitor performance metrics and provide recommendations for continuous improvement.

• Escalate risks, barriers, and opportunities appropriately.

Process Improvement and Governance

• Evaluate existing procurement workflows and identify inefficiencies.

• Design and implement process improvements that improve efficiency and stakeholder experience.

• Develop and maintain procurement standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Drive process standardization across indirect procurement activities.

• Ensure operating models remain aligned with current and future-state business requirements.

Match Exception Management

• Analyze exception trends and identify systemic issues.

• Partner directly with Buyers, Accounts Payable, and stakeholders to implement corrective actions.

• Develop preventive controls and operational best practices.

• Establish reporting and monitoring mechanisms to track performance improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement and Change Leadership

• Build strong relationships across Procurement, Finance, Accounts Payable, and business functions.

• Lead meetings and working sessions independently.

• Influence stakeholder behaviors through effective communication and partnership.

• Drive adoption of new processes and operating models.

• Develop communication plans that clearly articulate the "why," "what," and "how" behind procurement initiatives.

Training and Organizational Capability Development

• Develop training content, job aids, and communication materials.

• Deliver Procurement 101 roadshows and educational workshops.

• Promote procurement policy awareness and compliance.

• Help business stakeholders understand their role in achieving procurement outcomes.

Performance Tracking and Reporting

• Define and track performance metrics.

• Develop dashboards and reporting mechanisms.

• Measure adoption and effectiveness of implemented solutions.

• Provide leadership with actionable insights and recommendations.

Benefits:

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid parking/public transportation, (paid time, paid sick and safe time, hours of paid vacation time, weeks of paid parental leave, paid holidays annually - AS Applicable)