Job Summary
The IT Sourcing Specialist will develop and execute highly effective IT sourcing strategies, manage supplier relationships, negotiate favorable terms with IT suppliers, and administer IT sourcing and contracting projects within Ariba.
Key Responsibilities
* Procurement and Sourcing:
o Develop and execute highly effective IT sourcing strategies by leveraging spend analytics and market intelligence to align with business objectives.
o Manage supplier relationships specifically for IT products and services to ensure business and strategic goals are met, evolving the role from a commercial expert to a valued business partner.
o Negotiate favorable terms, volume discounts, and long-term contracts with IT suppliers, supporting the requisition and purchase order processes.
o Maintain a deep understanding of IT technology trends, market forces, and supplier technology roadmaps.
o Administer IT sourcing and contracting projects within Ariba, ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and procedures.
o Continuously evaluate and improve IT sourcing processes to support category-specific business or stakeholder needs.
o Provide insights and updates to senior leadership on IT category performance, savings, and other key performance indicators.
* Contract Management:
o Oversee the entire IT contract lifecycle, including renewals, cancellations, and ensuring adherence to legal and compliance requirements.
o Develop robust negotiation strategies to optimize total value for IT contracts, manage contract execution, and monitor supplier deliverables.
o Work closely with legal and compliance teams to define appropriate clauses and ensure IT contracts meet business needs.
* Stakeholder Collaboration:
o Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including department heads and senior leaders, to align IT sourcing strategies with overall business goals.
o Maintain regular communication to promote the value of IT sourcing initiatives and drive continuous improvement.
o Work closely with business stakeholders, IT suppliers, category managers, and legal and finance departments to ensure seamless procurement processes.
* Evaluation and Improvement:
o Evaluate IT supplier performance and stakeholder project experiences to identify areas for improvement.
o Conduct spend analyses specific to IT and report findings to drive decision-making and strategy refinement.
Qualifications and Skills
* Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
* Experience: Extensive experience in IT sourcing, procurement, or related areas, with a strong understanding of IT market dynamics and procurement processes.
* Skills:
o Systematic, objective, and strategic thinking with strong negotiation capabilities in the IT domain.
o Flexibility to adapt communication and negotiation styles across different levels and environments.
o Ability to handle resistance, manage multiple tasks, and persevere through challenges.
o Strong ethical standards with honesty and dependability.
o Customer-driven mindset, with a constructive and collaborative approach to teamwork.
o Proactive, with the ability to build relationships and bridge gaps across teams and stakeholders.
o Perceptive in understanding the IT environment and adjusting strategies accordingly.
o Fluent in English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
o Strong knowledge of IT procurement processes, market expertise, financial analysis, and legal compliance.
o Proficiency in procurement tools, including Ariba and SRM.