Associate Consultant - Procurement Engagement

About the role

The Associate Consultant, Procurement Engagement role is responsible for supporting the initial stage of procurement engagement by reviewing, processing, and routing procurement requests. This includes assisting with request intake, validating completeness, supporting compliant processing, and helping improve end user engagement and experience.

• Receiving and Reviewing Business Requests: Receive procurement requests from internal stakeholders and review for completeness, accuracy, required documentation, budget information, and alignment with company policies.
• Routing and Prioritization: Route requests to the appropriate sourcing, procurement, risk, legal, or business stakeholders based on request type, urgency, and established procedures. Escalate exceptions to senior team members when needed.
• Working with End Users: Collaborate with Sourcing, Category Management, Third Party Risk, Procurement Operations, and Business Unit stakeholders to support a smooth and efficient intake process.
• Monitoring Compliance and Accuracy: Verify that requests follow Northern Trust procurement policies, guidelines, intake requirements, and relevant Third-Party Risk standards. Identify potential issues and escalate for review.
• Process Support: Support process improvement and standardization by documenting common issues, sharing observations, and helping improve buying channel alignment and request routing.
• Data and Request Tracking and Reporting: Maintain request data and support reporting on key metrics such as request volume, compliance rates, response times, SLA performance, and processing cycle times.
• Other duties may include Stay updated on procurement processes, systems, and vendor risk management practices. Provide basic training and support to internal stakeholders on procurement of intake processes and tools.

Knowledge

• Foundational knowledge of procurement processes, buying/payment channels, vendor risk management standards, and Source to Pay (S2P) systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills; technically adept with basic application software and Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, time management, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to explain routine procurement information and process requirements to others in straightforward situations.
• Experience with ERP systems, procurement intake tools, or PeopleSoft is a plus.

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 2+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, finance, operations, vendor management, or related business functions.
• Professional Procurement/Supply Chain Management designation or related coursework is preferred but not required.

Salary Range

$58,425 - 93,385 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust's history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.