Associate Manager

About the Role:

You will improve Supplier Relationship Management across the Association, while implementing developed supplier and execution strategies, providing oversight, and influencing global consistency. This core role provides guidance and scaled support to important teams across our business. You will manage the optimisation of the IT commercial and procurement programme, ensuring IT business and administrative practices are aligned with budget and our needs, for vendor management and procurement matters. You will report to the Senior Director - Strategic Supplier Relationships as an individual contributor. You will use a hybrid work schedule.

You Will:

• Build relationships with a broad spectrum of suppliers, ranging in size and services, to ensure foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement that supports our goals.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle, including drafting and agreement of contract details, execution, and renewals, ensuring compliance with legal and commercial terms for tier 2 or established suppliers. Lead commercial negotiations to secure favourable terms, pricing, and value-added services, while mitigating risk and ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
• Monitor supplier performance driving accountability and initiating corrective actions where performance gaps are identified.
• Provide established analytical and financial data to support IT leadership with review of Business Cases and IT Project Demand requests.
• Manage the centralization of the IT Supplier Segmentation Process
• Partner with the team to manage vendor processes, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with procurement workflows.
• Develop an understanding of supplier services and capabilities. Be the internal advocate for suppliers, representing their offerings and managing them on behalf of the Association to ensure mutual success.
• Ensure suppliers follow regulatory, security, and compliance requirements, including ESG and audit readiness (e.g. SOC reports).
• Manage supplier-related budgets, track spend against forecasts and identify opportunities for cost savings and budget optimization.

You Have:

• A high school diploma, or equivalent education
• 2+ years' experience in a vendor support, procurement or administrative role
• Familiarity with financial reporting and budgeting

How We Support You:

We provide flexibility to help you achieve a good work-life balance. You'll be part of a global, diverse team who foster an environment of inclusion and belonging where you are valued for who you are and where you come from.

We offer benefit options in and out of the workplace, including healthcare, pension plan, annual leave, parental leave, an employee assistance program. We care about our employees' welfare and focus our benefits package on the benefits which support your wellbeing. We also recognise that everyone has different priorities, so in addition to our core benefits to support your health we offer flexible options for you to choose benefits that are right for you, your family and your lifestyle.

We believe in non-stop learning and are committed to investing in learning opportunities that help you reach your full potential and support your continued development

About Us:

At The Association, a Great Place to Work-Certified company, we are transforming the accounting and finance profession. We are future-focused, empowering the world's most accomplished accountants to stay relevant, meet today's demands, and prepare for tomorrow's challenges through quality education, resources, and training.

Learn more about The Association on LinkedIn and our Career Site.

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We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.