Associate Vice President - Procurement Systems and Digital Transformation

TSC - Associate Vice President

Company Description

The Smart Cube, a WNS company, is a trusted partner for high performing intelligence that answers critical business questions. And we work with our clients to figure out how to implement the answers, faster.

Job Description

Role Purpose 

The objective of this role is to lead the transformation, standardisation, optimisation, and continuous improvement of the Global Procurement digital and systems landscape. The incumbent owns and drives the Systems Transformation Plan across Source-to-Contract, Procure-to-Pay, Supplier Relationship Management, and Third-Party Risk Management domains.

The role serves as the primary interface between Global Procurement and enterprise IT, Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, and HR functions for all systems integration activities. It is the key contact for collaboration with Global IT on the long-term systems strategy and the custodian of the procurement digital roadmap through to 2030.

Acting as an innovation centre from a systems perspective, the role maintains active engagement with external partners and industry peers to identify, propose, and implement optimisation and automation opportunities. The role works in close collaboration with the Procurement Process Excellence Lead in executing the overall excellence and transformation plan.

Key Responsibility

1. Systems Transformation Plan – Strategy and Execution

• Build, implement, and manage the Procurement Systems Transformation Plan aligned with Global Procurement and Business Strategy 2030.
• Own the end-to-end systems strategy and the subsequent transformation roadmap.
• Drive the systems change agenda and influence senior leaders within the organisation on procurement-related matters to ensure alignment and buy-in.
• Engage and influence external stakeholders within IT, Finance, and Legal in building the systems transformation plan.
• Utilise strategic partners and external advisory in preparing a forward-looking systems transformation plan.
• Own the systems implementation plan and be accountable for delivery according to agreed timelines; act as primary contact with the IT Project Team.
• Propose and implement KPIs and measurement frameworks to demonstrate transformation progress.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies related to procurement and digital systems.
• Drive the procurement component of the 2030 Digital Transformation Plan in collaboration with IT, Legal, and Finance.

2. Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the current and future digital and systems landscape.
• Capture the voice of the customer through structured feedback sessions, questionnaires, and peer-to-peer interaction.
• Own the development roadmap for current systems (e.g. Aravo, ServiceNow, Procurement Front Door, and equivalents).
• Identify and assess opportunities for automation, digital optimisation, and adoption of new tools and technologies.

3. Supplier-Led Innovation

• Identify and drive strategic supplier-led innovation thinking across the entire Global Procurement organisation.
• Communicate and implement initiatives based on supplier-led innovation across Global Procurement and support category teams.
• Proactively engage with external partners to identify and implement external best practice to support growth ambitions.

4. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

• Establish and oversee SRM systems support with critical global suppliers, including risk management strategies aligned with supplier segmentation and global policies.
• Enhance supplier relationships and innovation with a focus on assurance of supply, quality, service, continuous improvement, and cost optimisation.
• Implement global procedures to ensure execution of sourcing activities in compliance with Sourcing Policy, Code of Responsible Business Practices, and all compliance standards.
• Drive supplier initiatives such as Supplier Award Programmes and other mechanisms to promote continuous improvement and innovation in quality, products, and services.

5. Performance Management and KPIs

• Design, gain approval for, and establish a Digital & Systems KPI structure across Global Procurement using data and analytics.
• Drive implementation of supplier performance measurement frameworks.
• Establish supplier governance structures including reporting cadence and business review meetings.
• Coordinate with Global Analytics and Reporting for day-to-day measurement and reporting execution.

6. Stakeholder and Partner Management

• Build and maintain effective professional relationships with global senior executive internal stakeholders and senior representatives of major suppliers.
• Participate in formal teams and governance groups with senior leaders and external vendors to manage supplier performance, procurement improvement initiatives, and broader business issues.
• Act as the Global Procurement representative in all enterprise-wide process and systems initiatives.

7. Procurement Innovation

• Lead and contribute to complex, global transformation projects and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure delivery of targeted benefits.
• Stay current with industry trends, developments, and best practices related to procurement and digital systems and incorporate insights into the Global Procurement function.
• Define and own the 3-year digital roadmap to ensure Procurement’s digital innovation progresses significantly, enabling higher-quality and more efficient procurement services.
• Use influencing skills to drive adoption of innovation across peers, colleagues, and stakeholders.

 

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience within consultancy, IT, and pharmaceutical sectors is highly preferred.
• Postgraduate business degree (MBA) is highly regarded.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in strategic sourcing, procurement systems, or relevant discipline.
• Deep understanding of the procurement systems landscape: P2P, Source-to-Contract, SRM, TPRM.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a comparable regulated sector is essential.
• Consulting industry background to support an enabling-function mindset.
• Demonstrated experience working in a global organization with understanding of cultural differences.

Experience Level

Mid Level