Senior Procurement Specialist

As a Senior Procurement Specialist at Avery Dennison, you will be responsible for creating and managing short, mid, and long-term strategic procurement goals. This involves overseeing categories such as Direct, Subcontracting, and IM&S. You'll also engage in market analysis, strategy sourcing, and negotiation, while working closely with stakeholders to improve procurement processes. Your role will include managing procurement systems and developing your team through training and coaching, all while ensuring supplier compliance and performance.

To be a successful Senior Procurement Specialist at Avery Dennison, candidates need 3-5 years of procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and in-depth knowledge of sourcing and procurement principles. A strategic mindset coupled with good communication skills is essential for collaborating with various business units. Additionally, familiarity with modern procurement systems is preferred, alongside the ability to analyze cost drivers and identify consolidation opportunities.

Avery Dennison takes employee development seriously, particularly for Senior Procurement Specialists. The organization fosters a culture of growth by offering training, coaching, and job rotation opportunities. This approach allows you to enhance your skills, stay updated with the latest practices in procurement, and effectively contribute to the team's strategic goals, making your career path both fulfilling and rewarding.

Essential skills for a Senior Procurement Specialist at Avery Dennison include strong negotiation and communication capabilities, strategic thinking, problem-solving aptitude, and an understanding of procurement systems. Being a team player who can collaborate effectively with various executives and business units is crucial to navigate the complexities of procurement and contribute meaningfully to the company's objectives.

The Senior Procurement Specialist role at Avery Dennison significantly impacts sustainability efforts by identifying cost-saving opportunities that align with environmental goals. By creating procurement strategies that focus on waste reduction, circularity, and supplier compliance with sustainability standards, you play a vital role in ensuring that our operational practices contribute positively to the environment and enhance our brand's value.

When answering this question, highlight specific experiences where you successfully managed procurement processes. Discuss your involvement in market analysis, vendor negotiations, and cost-saving initiatives to demonstrate your understanding of the procurement lifecycle.

It's important to outline your organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Share techniques you use for prioritization, such as setting deadlines, evaluating project urgency, and communicating effectively with team members to ensure productivity.

In your response, consider discussing specific negotiation tactics you've utilized in past roles, such as building rapport, understanding the supplier's needs, and presenting data-driven perspectives to achieve win-win outcomes. This will showcase your negotiation prowess.

Provide a detailed example that illustrates your initiative. Explain the context, your approach—such as supplier consolidation or process improvement—and quantify the results to validate the success of your cost-saving strategies.

Discuss your experience with establishing clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with subcontractors. You could mention how you monitor compliance regularly and address non-compliance issues promptly, leveraging strong relationships to foster adherence to company policies.

List specific procurement software or tools you've used, emphasizing your proficiency with modern systems. Discuss how these tools have helped streamline procurement processes and enhance decision-making in your prior roles.

Explain your conflict resolution strategies, whether through mediation, open discussions, or setting clear objectives. Emphasizing your commitment to teamwork and collaboration will reflect positively on your leadership qualities.

Discuss specific performance metrics you monitor, such as quality, delivery times, and compliance checks. Describe how you analyze this data to make informed decisions and improve supplier relationships in your procurement role.

Elaborate on your approach to risk assessment, including evaluating suppliers based on their financial stability, compliance history, and overall performance. Discuss how you proactively develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure supply chain resilience.

Highlight your admiration for Avery Dennison's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Share how your personal values align with the company’s mission and express your enthusiasm for contributing to its goals through effective procurement strategies.