Founded in 1913 in Italy, the Prada Group was built on a tradition of excellence and with a vision of innovation. The Group, a world leader in the luxury sector, operates in more than 45 countries with the PRADA, Miu Miu, Versace, Church’s, Car Shoe and Luna Rossa brands, and has employees of over 100 nationalities.
Job Summary/Purposes
The Procurement Director, Americas is responsible for the strategic and operational management of purchasing for the Americas Region. The role actively contributes to value creation, cost optimization and the continuous improvement of sourcing processes, acting as a point of reference for local stakeholders and for the Group Procurement structure. The Procurement Director will ensure a structured, transparent and results-oriented approach across all phases of the purchasing cycle, in compliance with the regulatory and market specificities of each country within the region and group procurement policies.
The Director will manage a team of procurement operations headcounts, supporting the business in the vendor onboarding process as well as in the purchase request / purchase order / good receipt processes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Category Management
- Define and implement sourcing strategies for the following purchasing categories, which include but are not limited to: Marketing, Facility Management & Constructions, HR Buying, IT Buying, Loss Prevention Buying, Finance and Tax Consultancy, Travel, Legal Consultancy, etc.
- Conduct market analysis, benchmarking and total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments to support purchasing decisions.
- Manage tender cycle “Requests for Quotation”, negotiation and contracting with suppliers, in cooperation with Internal Stakeholders
Labor Relations & US Regulatory Context
- Ensure compliance of purchasing contracts with local regulations and applicable union agreements, in coordination with the Legal and HR functions.
- Monitor developments in the US regulatory and market environment, anticipating their impact on purchasing strategies.
Team Management
- Lead and develop a team, setting objectives, priorities and responsibilities.
- Foster the professional growth of team members, promoting a collaborative and results-oriented working environment.
Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders (Retail, Marketing, Store Planning, Operations, Finance, Legal) at all organizational levels.
- Act as a credible business partner, facilitating consensus and alignment on priorities, specifications and supplier selection criteria.
- Effectively manage complex situations involving multiple stakeholders with differing needs and priorities, demonstrating mediation skills and a focus on results.
Performance & Reporting
- Monitor and report on procurement KPIs (savings, cost avoidance, compliance, lead time, supplier quality) in close collaboration with the Finance Department.
- Contribute to the definition of the budget and the annual purchasing plan for the USA Region.
- Prepare periodic reports and presentations for management, highlighting results achieved and improvement opportunities.
Qualifications / Requirements
Education
- Degree in Economics, Management Engineering, Supply Chain Management or related disciplines.
- Preferential but not required: Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, PMP or equivalent are considered an asset.
Professional Experience
- At least 8(+) years of experience in Procurement / Strategic Sourcing roles.
- Proven experience in the Marketing (Events, Merchandising, Gifts, Digital Services) and Facility Management & Constructions (Construction works, Electrical and Mechanical maintenance, Security, Cleaning) categories.
- Familiarity with matters related to Unions, city-specific minimum wage rates and the related contractual framework.
- Solid experience in team management (at least 3-4 people).
- Previous experience in the Fashion / Luxury sector is considered preferential but not mandatory.
Technical Skills
- Excellent command of strategic sourcing and category management methodologies.
- In-depth knowledge of the supply markets for the Marketing and Facility Management & Constructions categories in the US context.
- Experience using digital procurement platforms (e.g. Ivalua, Coupa, SAP Ariba, Jaggaer or similar) and spend analytics and contract management tools.
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint; Copilot or equivalent).
Language Skills
- English: fluent (written and spoken)
- Knowledge of Italian is a plus for interaction with the Group structure
Soft Skills
- Problem solving : ability to analyze complex situations and identify effective, timely solutions.
- Passion for the Fashion world : strong motivation and interest in the fashion/luxury sector.
- Leadership and influencing skills : ability to lead the team and build consensus among different stakeholders.
- Results orientation : strong determination to achieve savings, quality and compliance objectives.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills : ability to interact with senior-level counterparts with credibility and authority.
- Flexibility and adaptability : openness to change, innovation and the simultaneous management of multiple priorities.
Availability
Availability for regular travel within the United States and internationally, depending on project needs and sourcing activities.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position may vary from $170,000 - $190,000, and if applicable, may be eligible for bonuses and other incentive opportunities. The rate of pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
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Joining our Company means working in a creative and international environment, with teams of people motivated by curiosity and the quest for excellence. The engine of our success is the importance and value that we place on the talent and passion of our people leading to their own professional growth.
Prada Group promotes an inclusive work environment, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics. We believe that diversity is a value and we are committed to build a fair and respectful workplace for all.
