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This position has closed. Northern Trust removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Associate Specialist, Procurement - Contingent Labor

Northern Trust · Chicago, IL · $95,600–$162,400 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 7, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a negotiation where you saved significant money without hurting supplier quality.

What they are checking: Evidence of real commercial results and balanced supplier management.

How do you work with technology partners on sourcing outsourced or technology services?

What they are checking: Collaboration with technical stakeholders to shape requirements and sourcing decisions.

Describe how you work independently while staying aligned with a global team.

What they are checking: Self-direction in a role that is mostly independent, coordinated across several regions.

What would you do

A business leader wants to bring on a contractor through a vendor that isn't approved. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Ability to enforce policy while offering a fast, compliant path that meets the business need.

A key supplier raises rates sharply at renewal. What's your approach?

What they are checking: Negotiation strategy using market data, alternatives and volume without damaging the relationship.

About the work

How would you build a category strategy for contingent labor across the US, UK and APAC?

What they are checking: Strategic category management that accounts for regional rules, suppliers and spend patterns.

Walk me through how you'd run a sourcing event for a managed service provider or staffing vendors.

What they are checking: Practical knowledge of RFP design, evaluation criteria and negotiation in contingent labor.

What risks come with contingent labor, such as worker misclassification, and how does procurement help manage them?

What they are checking: Awareness of co-employment, classification and compliance risks specific to this category.

How would you use rate card data and market trends to recommend changes to the business?

What they are checking: Analytical skill in turning vendor and market data into practical recommendations.

What's the difference between staff augmentation and a statement of work engagement, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Understanding of engagement models that affect risk, cost and control over outcomes.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northern Trust from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Northern Trust.

About Northern Trust As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions. Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide. With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. Looking for an experienced Sr. Procurement Consultant to provide end-to-end category management, strategic sourcing, and procurement of contingent labor and outsourced/technology services on a global scale under general supervision (but will work independently most of the time). This person will work on a global team, with teammates in the UK, APAC, and the US, supporting a ~$650M category of spend. Responsibilities • Contingent labor category management • Collaborate with technology partners to develop and execute sourcing and procurement strategies • Analyze industry and vendor data / trends and make recommendations to technology partners about key insights, trade-offs, and risks • Collect requirements and specifications from technology partners and lead competitive bidding processes (e.g. RFx, eAuctions, etc.) • Negotiate commercial arrangements, SOWs, and MSAs with vendors • Present negotiation strategies and opportunities to technology partners and management • Assist with forecasting / planning processes, demand management, and developing contracts that scale future enterprise needs • Provide thought-leadership around improvements of global policies, operations, programs and processes • Drive vendor quality and performance improvement initiatives and harness vendor innovation ideas • Serve as a key subject matter expert • Carry out complex activities with significant financial, client, and/or internal business impacts Preferred Qualifications • Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or Finance (MBA preferred) • 5+ years of relevant procurement category management experience (emphasis on contingent labor/professional services strongly preferred) • Previous experience with vendor management system (VMS) Beeline, and working with a Managed Service Provider • Understanding of procurement best practices • Experience developing and implementing process improvements • Experience with Labor Contracts, managed services contracts including large outsourcing contracts is desired, but not required • Advanced negotiation skills • Success working with cross functional and diverse teams • Excellent communication and presentation skills • Strong time and project management skills • Detail-oriented • Ability to breakdown complex problems and resolve them through independent research and analysis • Past experience presenting to executive and senior leadership • Experience with sourcing and procurement applications, Coupa, Workday, PeopleSoft ERP, MS Office Suite and advanced Excel skills Salary Range: $95,600 - 162,400 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. Reasonable Accommodation Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.