Procurement Manager

**PROCUREMENT MANAGER NORTH & CENTRAL EUROPE**

With one shared mission of opening the world through education, EF is a multicultural and multilingual community of team members working across 55 countries all around the world. Bring your talents, your perspective, and your ambition. In return, we offer a vibrant, dynamic working environment, and a fulfilling international career.

**EF Educational Tours** makes it possible for thousands of North American students every year to see the world and discover new cultures through our professionally guided tours.

We are now looking for an **entrepreneurial leader with excellent negotiation skills and nothing is impossible attitude** to manage our NCE (North & Central Europe) Procurement team in our dynamic and multi-national Production Headquarter in Zurich.

You and your team of Buyers will be responsible for procuring cost-effective and qualitative services and solutions for activities, accommodation, transport, and meals - all while keeping our customer’s experience at the forefront.

**WHAT YOU WILL DO**:
In your role as Procurement Manager, your number one job will be to make sure you have a strong and motivated team that consistently ensures a memorable experience for our customers.
- **_Procurement, Negotiation & Contracting_**- leading negotiations of pricing and commercial terms for the assigned categories, geographies, and suppliers, while also scouting the market for potential new suppliers
- **_Cost and Quality Management_**- meeting cost and process efficiency targets by giving EF access to favorable pricing and conditions whilst maintaining a high standard of quality and customer satisfaction
- **_Inventory Management_**- analyze, procure, and process adequate inventory levels to meet forecasted demand
- **_Strategy & Execution_**- actively participating in setting and delivering on mid to long term strategic direction and supplier segmentation for the area of responsibility
- **_Category Management_**- implementation of a category management approach, continuous expansion of know-how for the assigned categories and geographical regions
- **_Supplier Relationship Management_**- manage relationships with current and potential supply base through the implementation of a SRM approach
- **_Risk and Safety Management_**- proactively manage and monitor potential risk exposure and safety concerns
- **_Budget and Cash Flow Management_**- continuously monitor, project, and deliver on costs according to a set plan, while also participating in the budget processes as part of the EF budget cycles
- **_Technology_**- contribute to the development of technology solutions and the continuous improvement of current tools and processes
- **_Market Knowledge, Trends and Innovation_**- being on the forefront of the supply market by consistently networking and researching within the industry, as well as gaining market insight into evolving trends in spend categories and geographies with a focus on bringing innovation to EF

Travelling is required for up to 40% of the time depending on the season, in order to be on the road learning the market, cultivating relationship with suppliers, and securing business agreements

**OBJECTIVES FOR THIS ROLE**
- Develop a strong and thriving team of specialists through a successful onboarding experience, on-going professional development and consistent and timely feedback focusing on staff engagement and retention
- Manage supplier relationships and lead negotiations of pricing and commercial terms for assigned categories, geographies, and suppliers, all while meeting cost, quality, safety, and process efficiency requirements.
- Analyse, procure, and process adequate inventory levels to meet forecasted demand, all while monitoring, projecting, and delivering on costs according to a set a plan

***
**YOU**
- A strong leader who cares about your team and to bring out the best in your people.
- Can influence others positively and get buy in
- A creative problem solver with ability to prioritize, determine solution and delegate the execution
- Strong communication, negotiation skills and cultural awareness
- Strategic mindset whilst actively engaged to run day-to-day priorities
- Strong and proven analytical skills
- Agile and open-minded team player, with a solution oriented, innovative, and driven mentality
- Entrepreneurial spirit and sense of ownership
- Relationship builder and networker
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- 2-3 years’ manager experience in procurement, business management, or a similar field is preferred
- Interest and network in these fields is a bonus
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in business, economics, or tourism
- Fluent in English and at least Working proficiency in German.
- Another European language is an advantage

**WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING WITH US**

People at EF make things happen. We encourage you to take full ownership of your work, regardless of your level or expe