Sr. Managed Spend Strategist, Deal Strategy & Growth Team, Amazon Business

As a Sr. Managed Spend Strategist at Amazon Business, you will be deeply involved in managing complex deals, frequently meeting with customers to align their needs with Amazon's solutions. Your job responsibilities include delivering results by driving category opportunities to closure, conducting thorough assessments of deals, and collaborating with various internal stakeholders to draft compelling business cases that resonate with customers. Leveraging your experience with sales processes and CRM tools is crucial, as you'll strategize around complex category engagements and lead initiatives to enhance customer onboarding.

To be a successful candidate for the Sr. Managed Spend Strategist role at Amazon Business, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, along with over 5 years in developing and managing complex deals that require collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with CRM software such as Salesforce is essential. Additionally, a strong understanding of procurement processes will help you excel in this dynamic position.

Amazon Business is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The hiring process for the Sr. Managed Spend Strategist position emphasizes equal opportunity, ensuring that all applicants, regardless of race, gender, or background, are considered based on their qualifications and experience. Amazon actively encourages candidates from various backgrounds to apply, supporting an environment that values diversity as a key driver for innovation and success.

A successful Sr. Managed Spend Strategist at Amazon Business should possess a blend of analytical thinking, strategic problem-solving, and excellent interpersonal skills. The ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to changing situations is vital, as is your capacity to ask insightful discovery questions that can guide clients toward optimal solutions. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to articulate compelling value propositions are also critical for leading complex category engagements and securing high-stakes deals.

The base pay for the Sr. Managed Spend Strategist position at Amazon Business ranges from $101,800 per year in our lowest geographic market to up to $176,400 per year in our highest market. Amazon takes into consideration multiple factors, such as your location, expertise, and experience when determining compensation, and provides a comprehensive total compensation package that may include equity, sign-on bonuses, and a wealth of employee benefits.

When managing complex deals, I begin by thoroughly understanding the client's needs and pain points through discovery questions. This allows me to tailor our offerings effectively. Collaboration is key, so I engage with internal stakeholders early on for input and insights. I believe in creating a strategic roadmap that outlines steps to align our capabilities with the client's goals which helps streamline the onboarding process.

In high-stakes negotiations, I embrace ambiguity by maintaining a flexible mindset and actively seeking clarity from all parties involved. I approach each situation analytically, breaking down challenges into manageable parts while also being proactive in establishing objectives and fallback positions. This strategy allows me to remain focused and responsive even when circumstances change rapidly.

To analyze category spending effectively, I leverage data analytics tools and historical purchase data to identify spending patterns and potential savings for clients. I complement this analysis with market research to enhance proposal competitiveness and illustrate value. This data-driven approach helps me craft proposals that resonate strongly with clients, emphasizing not only cost savings but also strategic advantages.

In my previous role, I implemented a strategic account management system that focused on understanding each client's unique procurement needs. By developing tailored engagement plans, I improved communication and alignment across teams, leading to a noticeable increase in deal closure rates. This initiative also reinforced client relationships, resulting in higher repeat business.

When managing multiple deals, I prioritize tasks by assessing urgency and potential impact. I use project management tools to track deadlines and deliverables, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. Regular check-ins with stakeholders help me stay aligned on priorities, and I am always ready to adapt when new information or changes arise.

Collaboration is integral to my role as a Sr. Managed Spend Strategist. I work closely with various internal teams, from finance to procurement, to gather insights and align our strategies. This collaborative effort fosters creativity in problem-solving and strengthens our proposals, ultimately leading to more effective engagement with clients.

I assess a deal’s worth by analyzing strategic fit, potential revenue, and alignment with our capabilities. Conducting a SWOT analysis can also be beneficial; it allows me to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the deal. If the deal holds potential for meaningful engagement and aligns with our business goals, it becomes a priority.

One of the most challenging deals involved a complex procurement negotiation with a large corporate client. The initial proposals faced significant pushback, but I took the time to understand their concerns and adjusted our offerings accordingly. By maintaining open communication and flexibility, we turned the situation into a collaborative effort, ultimately leading to a successful win.

Post-deal closure, I prioritize maintaining strong customer relationships by scheduling regular follow-up meetings and check-ins to ensure continued satisfaction. Feedback loops are vital; I actively solicit insights on our performance and work to address any issues that arise. Building a partnership that extends beyond the sale helps foster loyalty and opens doors for future collaboration.

I am drawn to the Sr. Managed Spend Strategist role at Amazon Business because of the company's commitment to innovation in the procurement space. Amazon’s approach to transforming B2B purchasing aligns perfectly with my passion for creating effective solutions that drive business results. I admire the emphasis on collaboration and results, and I see this as the ideal environment to leverage my skills and make a significant impact.