Harman

About the Role

We are in search of an experienced and visionary leader to assume the pivotal role of Director - Procurement Digitalization and Processes. As the Director, you will hold end-to-end responsibility for steering the procurement digitalization roadmap and elevating our procurement organization to a best-in-class digital working environment. Leading a team of global project leads and procurement specialists, you will champion successful coordination and execution of digitalization projects, ensuring procurement's strategic impact within the organization. Reporting directly to the Procurement Excellence lead, your role will be instrumental in achieving digitalization milestones, influencing business processes and frameworks, and positioning procurement as a digital leader.

Your Team

Your team consists of 6-8 direct reports looking to you for both functional and disciplinary guidance in this global leadership role.

What You Will Do

• Digital Procurement Framework & Procurement Digitalization Roadmap:
  • This position will be the owner of all procurement related digital solutions & frameworks within the company, including budget responsibility of 3-7 Mio. USD/year, leading also related problem solving, improving and escalation activities
  • End-to-end responsibility for the procurement digitalization roadmap and related budget. It involves not only ownership of the digitalization strategy but also the execution and enhancement of all procurement processes and systems
  • Define and execute initiatives to develop & enhance procurement processes, systems, and digital capabilities targeting to achieve compliance requirements and leading to year over year efficiencies on bound capacities within the organization
  • Stay abreast of digitalization trends and emerging technologies in the procurement field.

• Team Leadership & Strategic Decision Making
  • Lead a team of global procurement managers following yearly 10-15 digitalization improvement projects and procurement specialists being subject matter experts on specific digital procurement solutions as well as owners of the procurement process landscape.
  • Provide functional and disciplinary guidance, coaching, and support to the team members, providing escalation support to direct reports for critical decision-making processes.
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture focused on achieving digitalization goals.
• Coordination and Execution of Digitalization Projects:
  • Ensure successful coordination and execution of multiple ongoing digitalization projects led by the team.
  • Be responsible for successful execution of project timelines, budgets, and quality to achieve targeted outcomes.
  • Provide escalation support to direct reports to facilitate critical decision-making processes.
• Cross-Functional Representation and Alignment:
  • Represent procurement in senior management meetings, focusing on digitalization initiatives.
  • Represent procurement in cross functional digitalization initiatives outside the procurement organization.
  • Drive cross-functional alignment on all levels of management within and outside the procurement organization.
  • Advocate for procurement digitalization needs and actively contribute to broader organizational digital initiatives.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
  • Achieve stakeholder acceptance within and outside the procurement organization by effectively communicating the value of digitalization initiatives.
  • Provide periodic status reports on project progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
  • Engage executive management participants as needed to ensure project success within defined timeframes and frameworks.

What You Need

• University degree in a business or digital function or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of relevant business experience within procurement digitalization, consulting or surrounding functions
• Extensive experience in procurement digitalization, process improvement, or related areas, preferably in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of digitalization trends, emerging technologies, and their application in procurement.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to lead and inspire a diverse team.
• Excellent strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Familiarity with change management principles and methodologies.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience in leading global intercultural teams
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to mediate between conflicted parties

What is Nice to Have

• MBA or Masters degree
• Experience in different procurement functions within and outside HARMAN
• Experience with introducing digitalization roadmaps and projects
• Experience in change management projects and/or managing cross functional projects and teams

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25% domestic and international

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development