Strategic Sourcing Lead, Professional Services

📋 Description

• • Join Cohere, a pioneering AI company on a mission to scale intelligence for the benefit of humanity. We are at the forefront of developing and deploying cutting-edge AI models that empower developers and enterprises to build transformative applications, from content generation and semantic search to sophisticated RAG systems and intelligent agents. Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI is matched by our dedication to delivering exceptional value to our customers. At Cohere, we foster a culture of intense focus and rapid execution, where every team member is empowered to contribute to enhancing our models' capabilities and driving customer success.
• • As the Strategic Sourcing Lead, Professional Services, you will play a pivotal role in establishing and scaling Cohere's procurement function for professional services. This is a unique opportunity to build and own critical procurement categories, including consulting, marketing (events, media, services), legal, and other external services, as the company experiences rapid growth. You will be instrumental in designing and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives that not only optimize costs but also elevate service quality and foster strong vendor partnerships.
• • This role demands a hands-on, strategic procurement leader who thrives in a dynamic, high-growth environment. You will navigate ambiguity with confidence, leveraging your expertise to design and implement scalable processes that support Cohere's ambitious objectives. A key aspect of this position involves building bridges between procurement and other vital departments, including Finance (FP&A), Accounting, Legal, and various business stakeholders. Your ability to align procurement strategies with overarching business goals will be crucial for success.
• • Your responsibilities will encompass the entire procurement lifecycle. This includes conducting thorough needs assessments, developing comprehensive sourcing strategies, leading complex negotiations, and ensuring seamless contract execution. You will be responsible for analyzing spending patterns across professional services categories to identify significant opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and the adoption of best practices. Furthermore, you will be tasked with managing and nurturing vendor relationships, meticulously evaluating vendor performance, and ensuring that all procurement activities adhere strictly to company policies and relevant regulations.
• • A significant part of your contribution will involve establishing robust documentation and internal controls, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the procurement process. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that procurement strategies are integrated with and support their specific needs and objectives. This includes working with FP&A and Accounting to guarantee proper Purchase Order (PO) management and timely, accurate payment processes. You will also prepare and present regular reports detailing procurement performance, achieved savings, and key vendor management insights to leadership.
• • This role is more than just managing transactions; it's about strategically shaping how Cohere engages with its external service providers. You will be the go-to expert for professional services procurement, driving best practices, achieving substantial cost efficiencies, and cultivating strategic alliances with key partners that are essential for Cohere's continued expansion and innovation. If you are a proactive, results-oriented procurement professional with a passion for building and optimizing processes in a fast-paced, cutting-edge industry, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact.