eProcurement Manager APAC

Farnell

Farnell, an Avnet company, is a global high-service distributor of technology products, services and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair.

Job Summary:

To be the regional subject matter expert when it comes to EDI/XML & punch out integration between element14 systems and customer systems. Working as part of, and actively engaged with a wider Global eProcurement team, you will own, manage, lead, train and deliver the day-to-day business coordination, strategy and guidance to the APAC eProcurement team delivering solutions for the region. This is a hands on role working with customers and internal stakeholders to deliver the mutual benefits of automating purchasing processes and requires a technical level of understanding of message content and communication methods. This role also works extensively with the local sales teams and business leaders to promote the benefits and capability of element14 eProcurement solutions internally and externally and requires a commercial awareness.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate leadership by mentoring and developing junior team members.
• Project manage eProcurement projects from initial requirements discovery through to UAT and go live.
• Ensure knowledge transfer between members of regional and wider teams.
• Become expert on internal systems and processes that relate to eProcurement.
• Work with local sales and business leaders to drive revenue via the eProcurement channel and derive maximum benefit from integrated customers.
• Manage and resolve technical/business issues of large national, global and local eProcurement customers, including changes in 3rd party systems and migration to automated transactions.
• Provide input into developing annual sales targets and strategies for growing eProcurement regionally and globally.
• Coordinate eProcurement regional team efforts.
• Collaborate with IT teams to deliver projects, changes and new development requirements.
• Constantly look for process efficiency gains and ways to deliver better solutions and benefits to customers.

Key Challenges

• Delegate tasks and workload to regional team members to ensure timely delivery of projects for the best ROI.
• Raise risks and issues to Manager when appropriate.
• Motivate and maintain successful working relationships with both local and global team members across diverse cultures
• Maintain and evolve excellent working relationships internally and externally.
• Work cross functionally with sales, IT, other internal teams and customers to ensure implementation of customer requirements.
• Manage tight customer deadlines, multiple projects and stakeholder expectations.
• Maintain a relentless customer focus.
• Maintain in depth knowledge of eProcurement/web based technology and industry changes.
• Understanding of global capabilities/challenges for Premier Farnell and customers.
• Employ a pragmatic approach to problem solving.

Maintain a flexible approach to enable you to adapt to changing business priorities
Job Level Specifications:

• cXML and EDI schemas including message formats for PO, Invoice, Confirmations
• HTTPS, AS2, SFTP communication.
• cXML & OCI punch out communications methods and data transfer. (POSR, POR, POOM).
• Leading a small regional team
• Cross functional project management in a global company.
• Working with 3rd party providers especially Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer and others to integrate customers

Work Experience:

• 8-10 years practical experience in managing eCommerce/eProcurement customer engagements.
• Qualifications either at educational level (Bachelor’s Degree) or equivalent experience level.
• High level of technical knowledge of eProcurement solutions (Ariba, SAP, Oracle, Coupa) and associated electronic order/invoice integration protocols (cXML, XML, EDI) and the messages (Order, Confirmation, ASN, Invoice) and communication methods (AS2, HTTPS, VAN)
• Thorough understanding of the P2P process in a global B2B environment.
• Have a strategic mind set.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience of strong leadership and analytical skills.
• Project management experience and methodologies employed for efficient delivery.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confident communicator at all levels.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively in high stress situations.

• Experience in working is a global virtual team is desirable

Education and Certification(s):

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience from which comparable knowledge and job skills can be obtained.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

• Provide EDI and custom interface specifications, as well as coordinate with all external partners to facilitate expansion to both customers and vendors.

  Document business requirements for new integrations, documents, and forms.

  Responsible for testing and verification of data received during integration testing period. Work with end users to ensure user acceptance testing is thorough and complete.

  Actively monitor EDI and custom transaction flow through post implementations, identify challenges and work with the appropriate internal, third party and/or vendors to correct issues timely and accurately.

  Throughout the onboarding process for new customers and vendors, ensure compliance with all business requirements. Analyze all implementations and recommend improvements to processes and coordinate with trading partners to resolve all issues effectively.

  Collaborate with team members to assist with installation of EDI for new project rollouts, upgrades, and new releases to EDI software.

  Handle inbound/outbound documents, conduct auditing of relevant documents, and ensure proper follow-up with partners.

  Work extensively with information technology (IT) staff and other employees to ensure the EDI and custom programs are working as intended.

  Serve as the initial contact for troubleshooting inquiries, monitoring document transmissions, and identifying opportunities to improve relevant processes.

  Conduct training to keep cross-functional team members up to date on technology changes.

  Ensure a high attention to detail with focus on data accuracy.

While performing the duties of the EDI Integration Specialist, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision ability required include, close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands of this job are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.