Contracts & Procurement Advisor (Internal)

As a Contracts & Procurement Advisor at Stanmore, your primary responsibilities include ensuring compliance with procurement policies during purchasing activities, supporting sourcing and category management initiatives, and developing tactical sourcing plans. You will also engage with site-based teams to understand procurement requirements and provide training and guidance on procurement processes. Your role will encompass vendor negotiations, market analysis, and ongoing reporting to recommend cost-saving opportunities.

To be considered for the Contracts & Procurement Advisor role at Stanmore, candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in a commercial or supply chain environment, ideally within the mining and metals sectors. A minimum Diploma in Business, Commerce, Finance, Engineering, or related fields is essential. Strong Excel skills and familiarity with ERP systems, especially SAP, are advantageous for this position.

The Contracts & Procurement Advisor role at Stanmore is designed to connect procurement strategies with frontline execution effectively. You will develop and execute RFx activities and tactical sourcing plans that align with the overall procurement strategy. This position also involves collaborating with stakeholders to ensure they adhere to procurement policies while actively seeking opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.

Essential skills for a Contracts & Procurement Advisor at Stanmore include excellent communication abilities, flexibility to work across various commodities, and proficiency in developing commercial strategies. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate the ability to maintain effective relationships with functional business units and possess strong analytical skills for market analysis and supplier negotiations.

Stanmore is committed to the growth and development of its employees, including Contract & Procurement Advisors. The company fosters a culture of learning and skill development, providing ongoing training to help staff reach their full potential. By promoting a supportive work environment, Stanmore ensures that its employees can further their careers successfully.

Your answer should highlight specific past roles where you engaged in procurement activities. Discuss your responsibilities, especially those involving vendor negotiation, compliance with procurement policies, and strategic sourcing, emphasizing how these experiences prepare you for the Contracts & Procurement Advisor role.

Describe your approach to ensuring compliance, including methods like regular training for stakeholders, systematic monitoring of procurement activities, and staying updated with procurement policies. Explain how these strategies have successfully worked in your past roles.

Explain your conflict resolution process, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding the vendor's perspective. Share an example from your experience where you successfully resolved a dispute while maintaining a positive working relationship.

Outline your systematic approach to sourcing plans, which may involve conducting market analysis, defining sourcing strategies, engaging stakeholders, and aligning the plan with organizational objectives. Share any specific methodologies you've used in previous roles.

Provide examples of RFx processes you've managed, including the types of RFx documents you've created or evaluated, how you engaged suppliers during the process, and the outcomes of those activities. Highlight your strategic mindset in those activities.

Discuss how engaging stakeholders ensures procurement strategies are aligned with operational needs. Provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure procurement success in previous roles.

Share your time management techniques and how you assess the urgency and importance of tasks. Give examples of how you've successfully prioritized in previous fast-paced roles, ensuring deliverables are met.

Discuss specific initiatives you've led or been part of that improved procurement processes. Detail the methodologies you used to identify areas for improvement and the outcomes achieved, emphasizing the impact on efficiency and cost savings.

Explain how you gather data on vendor performance, the criteria you consider most important (e.g., quality, timeliness, cost-effectiveness), and how you communicate feedback to vendors to improve their performance.

Share your motivations for applying, connecting your skills and experiences to the role and Stanmore's values. Highlight how your background in the mining and metals sector aligns with the company’s objectives and culture.