With eleven offices across the United States, 450+ attorney and consulting professionals and 350+ business and administrative professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the firm to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.

The Director of Procurement will serve as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing Manatt’s enterprise-wide procurement strategy for goods and services. This senior role demands a forward-thinking professional who can act as a procurement thought partner across departments, drive financial value, and ensure operational excellence. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Director will lead a high-performing team, cultivate strong vendor partnerships, and oversee complex contract negotiations. The role requires deep expertise in financial stewardship, procurement governance and cross-functional collaboration to ensure all purchasing activities align with Firm-wide objectives, budgetary frameworks, and compliance standards. The Director of Procurement will build trusted relationships across the Firm to anticipate needs, deliver timely and cost-effective solutions, and contribute to long-term strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and manages the Firm’s procurement strategy and process in alignment with Firm strategy and by working closely with Firm management, Business Units, Business Professionals and third party vendors.

• Manages and analyzes budget and expenditures, ensuring cost-effective solutions, financial accountability and alignment with organizational priorities; provides routine and detailed reports to Firm management. 

• Integrates seamlessly with the Accounting & Finance Department to ensure that procurement planning aligns with financial forecasting, budgeting cycles and cost containment strategies.

• Provides guidance on cost projections and forecasting on major procurements, including sharing insights regarding per unit pricing and year-over-year data and trend analyses.

• Identifies, develops, and implements new and innovative technologies, processes and workflows that will transform procurement efficiency, including by leveraging AI. 

• Serves as information resource for new and best practices techniques in inventory control and management procedures, including asset management and review of ongoing operations and maintenance functions.

• Supports change management with clear and consistent communications.

• Oversees and manages RFPs and contract negotiations for all purchases and their ongoing monitoring, ensuring that compliance and risks are managed, that contracts live in a repository and that expirations and contract documents are up to date.

• Leads and professionally develops the procurement team, fostering a high-performance culture.

• Develops and oversees vendor relationships for capital and consumable assets, commodities, and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management or a related field, with a master’s degree and CPSM or CPM certifications a plus

• 10-15 years procurement, supply chain management or related experience, with professional services firm experience a plus

• Understanding of financial principles and the ability to manage budgets and cost-saving initiatives

• Mastery in using procurement software and tools for data analysis

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills

• Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies

• Experience in managing procurement projects, including planning, risk-assessment, execution, compliance and monitoring

• Proven leadership abilities to manage and motivate a team

• Strong interpersonal skills, including being a collaborative team player who proactively works well with other departments

• Detail oriented and adaptable, with strong organization and time management skills to meet strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Positive attitude even when faced with difficult obstacles, issues or challenges

• Ability to travel and work extended and/or weekend hours, as required

The base annual pay range for this role is between $175,000 to $200,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience and location.  A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration  (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security  (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking  adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. 

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or  to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the  choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid,  this employer uses E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).