IT Procurement Category Manager

About This Role

This role involves leading strategic sourcing opportunities, developing category plans, and negotiating complex contracts for global IT software solutions, subscription agreements, and mobility agreements. It suits a highly effective communicator who can articulate the value of partnering with the Source to Contract team and influence senior leaders on innovative sourcing strategies.

Responsibilities

• Establish strong relationships with stakeholders, building a robust understanding of mission-critical priorities and requirements across spend categories and suppliers
• Work collaboratively with geographically dispersed stakeholders to develop strategic category plans for IT Software, Subscription, and Mobility categories
• Gain alignment on sourcing and negotiation strategies and short/long-term category roadmaps
• Serve as the Procurement SME for stakeholders and guide them on strategic sourcing and operational procurement processes
• Communicate early and often, proactively seeking ways to reduce costs and improve efficiencies
• Maintain knowledge of current category trends, supplier capabilities, and changes within the supplier and technology landscape for traditional and emerging solutions
• Lead cross-functional teams through a disciplined sourcing process
• Facilitate stakeholders through developing requirements, evaluating suppliers, and supplier selection using effective project management skills
• Ensure all sourcing initiatives are conducted in a fair and ethical manner which provides a level playing field for all participants
• Develop negotiation plans aligned with stakeholder desired outcomes for TCO, SLAs, and key business terms
• Demonstrate competency and knowledge of contract development, key contracting principles, standard terms, laws/regulations, and industry standards during contract negotiations
• Organize data sets and develop meaningful analysis of spend, cost, and performance metrics
• Present compelling business cases to influence decision-makers at all levels of the organization
• Manage compliance during all phases of the contracting process
• Coordinate with Gartner Legal, Finance, and IT Security when needed
• Ensure all Third-Party Risk Management checks are complete prior to contract signature
• Route contracts for approval and signature as required by Gartner policy
• Develop and facilitate business reviews with stakeholders to review supplier performance, future opportunities, and/or challenges
• Guide stakeholders on preferred suppliers
• Develop supplier management strategy to reduce and consolidate global suppliers
• Conduct routine planning sessions with stakeholders to ensure addressable spend in the assigned categories are under source to contract management