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Kenna® Group

Sourcing and Procurement Services, IT Software Lead

Posted 15 Days Ago
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In-Office
Chicago, IL, USA
Expert/Leader
In-Office
Chicago, IL, USA
Expert/Leader
Lead strategic sourcing and governance for enterprise IT software suppliers. Drive negotiations, contract development, supplier performance, cost optimization, and cross-functional governance with legal, security, finance, and IT. Build executive-level supplier relationships and deliver sourcing strategies, KPIs, and continuous improvement for software licensing and procurement.
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Job Description

The Sourcing and Procurement Services (SPS) IT Software Lead is responsible for the governance of strategic IT Software relationships across the enterprise, with a focus on working closely with the area of responsibility (AOR) executives, technology, and delivery leads in support of sourcing, risk management, measuring performance, and building sustainable relationships. The SPS IT Software Lead will provide support in the acquisition of new IT Software at the lowest costs consistent with quality pre-post sale support. This lead will also leverage their industry experience to analyze existing portfolio of IT Software to develop proactive cost optimization strategies to lower the total costs of ownership for this category of spend. This position is also responsible for the ongoing governance of the IT Software supplier base, leading escalation management, and ensuring overall IT Software operations are consistent with agreements.


The SPS IT Software Lead partners with SPS Sourcing and Category Management personnel, legal, security, data privacy, and other enabling functions to ensure optimal terms and conditions, data protections, competitive commercial terms, key performance indicators, and service level agreements (SLAs) are in line with the applicable solution requirements. This role is also tasked with building collaborative, executive level relationships with strategic IT Software suppliers.


Responsibilities Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Responsible for delivering IT Software sourcing strategies, leading strategic initiatives, driving negotiations, and developing sourcing performance metrics for IT Sourcing and Procurement Solutions tower. The IT Software Lead will work with the Enterprise IT Software Senior Manager of SPS to initiate, develop, promote, and implement continuous improvement in IT Procurement strategies

This IT Software Lead will be responsible for the strategic sourcing and procurement service delivery in support of the organizational requirements for software licensing for client. In support of this objective, SPS is tasked to deliver enterprise-wide software solutions supporting client’s mission-critical business applications and processes

This position has key responsibility for the development, negotiation, and management of technology contracts; serves as the business driver for all requirements; and will lead negotiations

This complex role requires developing relationships and procedural strategies with other groups involved with completing contracts: Legal, Tax, Treasury, ATSV Finance, Security, Data Privacy, ATSV Architecture, Voice/Data Leadership, and the Divisional Chief Information Officers

The candidate will be expected to participate directly with business development teams providing technology procurement subject matter expertise in shaping technology software agreements. Significant relationship development with Directors and Officers is required

To summarize the key responsibilities of this position: Senior technology procurement negotiator, with a focus on key, strategic, highly visible software based technology suppliers and promoting the use of best practices and techniques in sourcing, procurement, and contract development; responsibilities may include implementing “better in class” contractual terms and conditions for client templates, providing supervision and direction as needed


The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree preferred in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting, or equivalent IT sourcing, category, and supplier management experience

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in an IT Software procurement or sourcing service delivery capacity

5 years IT procurement management experience or experience in an IT Software operational management capacity

Proven success and experience in working with complex or challenging IT Software enterprise environments

Experience working within an “influence management” corporate structure

Mainframe software and/or leasing experience is a plus

Experience working with virtual teams preferred

Proficiency development and coaching experience and skills preferred

10% Travel possible


Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong analytical and data management skills, ideally proven in a Sourcing and Procurement Services or Operations context

Strong business operations skills

Strong negotiating skills

Strong financial analysis skills

Project and program management skills

Driven and motivated to lead and push for increasing levels of performance

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills

Strong customer orientation

Ability to prioritize amongst multiple high priority items

Knowledge of Sourcing/Procurement processes preferred

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree preferred in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting, or equivalent IT sourcing, category, and supplier management experience

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in an IT Software procurement or sourcing service delivery capacity

5 years IT procurement management experience or experience in an IT Software operational management capacity

Proven success and experience in working with complex or challenging IT Software enterprise environments

Experience working within an “influence management” corporate structure

Mainframe software and/or leasing experience is a plus

Experience working with virtual teams preferred

Proficiency development and coaching experience and skills preferred

10% Travel possible


Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong analytical and data management skills, ideally proven in a Sourcing and Procurement Services or Operations context

Strong business operations skills

Strong negotiating skills

Strong financial analysis skills

Project and program management skills

Driven and motivated to lead and push for increasing levels of performance

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills

Strong customer orientation

Ability to prioritize amongst multiple high priority items

Knowledge of Sourcing/Procurement processes preferred

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Local candidates only, relocation is not available for this opportunity. 

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