Vice President, Global Procurement

Ares Management LLC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Ares Management LLC is seeking a Vice President of Global Procurement to drive strategic sourcing, vendor management, and procurement transformation across its global operations. This leader will partner with IT, HR, Marketing, and Operations to optimize spend, mitigate risk, and enable scalable growth.

The role focuses on value creation, governance, and enterprise-wide programs, including contract lifecycle management, procurement systems, and data-driven spend analytics.

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. in Business (or related degree).
• 10+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Experience with contract negotiation, project management, and category management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across multiple categories, delivering cost savings and value.
• Develop and execute global procurement strategies aligned with growth objectives.
• Advise senior stakeholders on vendor strategy, terms, and risk management.
• Communicate effectively with vendors and business stakeholders at all levels.
• Drive supplier governance and executive-level vendor relationships for high-spend partners.
• Oversee contract negotiations in partnership with Legal, Risk, and Compliance.
• Participate in M&A vendor due diligence and integration efforts.
• Establish procurement policies, controls, and compliance globally.
• Champion procurement transformation, standardization, and systems implementation.
• Leverage data analytics to improve spend visibility and decision-making.
• Develop and leverage AI tools to boost procurement productivity.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Procurement transformation

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Executive presence

M&A due diligence

Education

B.S./B.A. in Business

Tools

Procurement systems

Contract lifecycle management

P2P

Spend analytics tools

Job description

Over the last 20 years, Ares success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.

Job Description

The Vice President of Global Procurement is a senior role responsible for driving strategic sourcing, vendor management, and procurement transformation initiatives across Ares Management's global operations. Reporting to the Principal, Global Procurement, this role partners closely with senior stakeholders across IT, HR, Marketing, and Operations to deliver best-in-class procurement strategies that optimize spend, mitigate risk, and enable scalable growth.

This position plays a critical role in shaping and executing the firm's global procurement vision, with a focus on value creation, operational efficiency, and governance. The VP will lead complex sourcing initiatives, oversee key supplier relationships, and drive enterprise-wide programs including contract lifecycle management, procurement systems and data-driven spend analytics optimization.

Success Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-oriented, people person, who combines commercial acumen with operational excellence. They are highly collaborative, comfortable operating in a fast-paced, matrixed, and entrepreneurial environment, with a strong focus on driving value and supporting Ares' global growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Autonomously lead strategic sourcing initiatives across multiple categories (technology, professional services, market data, corporate services, etc), delivering measurable cost savings and value.
• Develop and execute global procurement strategies aligned with Ares' business priorities and growth objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, providing insights on vendor strategy, commercial terms, and risk management.
• Conduct professional and effective communications between vendors, business stakeholders and project management colleagues at all levels.
• Drive supplier governance, performance management, and executive-level vendor relationships for critical and high-spend partners.
• Oversee contract negotiation and execution in partnership with Legal, Risk, Compliance, ensuring favorable commercial terms and compliance with internal policies.
• Participate in M&A vendor due diligence, and integration activities.
• Establish and enhance procurement policies, controls, and compliance frameworks across global operations.
• Champion procurement transformation initiatives, including implementation, standardization, and optimization processes and procurement systems (e.g., Contract Management, P2P, Vendor Management).
• Leverage data and analytics to improve spend visibility, inform decision-making, and identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Develop and leverage new and existing AI tools to impact procurement productivity and optimize workflows.
• Mentor and develop procurement team members, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. degree in Business (or other related degree programs)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably within financial services, or a complex global organization.
• Contract Negotiation, Project Management, Category Management, Business Analytics & Reporting, Procure-to-Pay Process Optimization.
• Technology category management experience preferred
• Proven track record of leading high-impact sourcing initiatives and negotiating complex, high-value contracts.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and partner with senior leadership.
• Experience leading procurement transformation and implementing procurement technologies.
• Deep knowledge of vendor risk management, contract structures, and global procurement best practices.

Key Attributes

• Proven track record in delivery of complex, cross-functional sourcing and procurement initiatives on time with significant savings impact
• Strong knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management processes
• Demonstrated success in leveraging company-wide spend by ensuring the implementation of global/international agreements
• Knowledge and experience with best practice processes, tools, and procurement/spend systems data and analysis
• Resourceful problem solver, comfortable working in a dynamic, fast paced environment
• Strong organizational, planning skills – multi-task oriented with strong attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills with colleagues and key stakeholders (perceptive and adaptable)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (email, video conference, presentations, chat)
• Must be able to interface at all levels of the organization and vendors
• Strong analytic, Excel, and data-based reasoning skills
• Excellent negotiation strategy and skills
• Experience with M&A contract integration a plus
• Nationally recognized professional certification a plus (Certified Purchasing Manager or Certified Professional Contract Manager)

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

$180,000 - $220,000

The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.

Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.