Senior Strategic Sourcing Consultant

Aquent is proud to partner with a leading global organization dedicated to delivering exceptional value through strategic innovation and operational excellence. This company stands at the forefront of its industry, constantly seeking to optimize its operations and leverage cutting-edge technology to achieve ambitious goals. They are committed to fostering a dynamic environment where talent can thrive and make a tangible impact, shaping the future of their sector.

Are you a seasoned strategic sourcing expert passionate about technology and eager to drive significant change? This is your opportunity to step into a pivotal role, where you will be instrumental in shaping the technology procurement landscape for a global enterprise. You will lead complex negotiations, build impactful supplier relationships, and directly influence the efficiency and innovation of critical technology services. Your expertise will not only unlock substantial cost savings but also ensure the organization remains at the cutting edge, making a direct and measurable impact on its success and strategic direction.

What You Will Do:

• Strategic Sourcing Planning: Conduct in-depth market research to identify potential suppliers and assess market trends. Develop comprehensive sourcing strategies for assigned categories, including cost reduction targets, supplier selection criteria, and risk mitigation plans. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into clear sourcing requirements.
• RFx Management: Lead the design and execution of Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quotation (RFQ), and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes. Analyze supplier responses and evaluate proposals based on critical factors like price, quality, and delivery.
• Supplier Negotiation: Develop and lead negotiations for complex contract provisions, ensuring optimal pricing and terms while balancing risk and value. Develop and manage master agreements, including legal terms and conditions.
• Vendor Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, proactively addressing performance issues and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations and key performance indicators.
• Cost Optimization: Analyze spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategic sourcing initiatives. Utilize cost modeling and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis to evaluate sourcing options effectively.
• Stakeholder Management: Communicate sourcing strategies and progress to internal stakeholders, including senior management. Proactively manage expectations and address concerns related to sourcing activities.
• Focus on categories of spend including Financial Operations for Technology, User Support Services, Core Technology Infrastructure (e.g., compute, storage, cloud infrastructure), Cloud Solutions and Engineering, and Enterprise Technology Solutions (e.g., networking, digital workplace tools, endpoint management, telecommunications, collaboration platforms).

What You Bring:

Must-Haves:

• Deep Technology Sourcing Expertise: A minimum of 7 years of advanced strategic sourcing experience, with mastery of technology-focused procurement principles, practices, and models.
• IT Sourcing is Non-Negotiable: Demonstrated and extensive experience in IT sourcing is an absolute requirement.
• Proven Negotiation Track Record: Clearly articulated examples of successfully negotiating SaaS and cloud-based enterprise business applications at scale within a global environment.
• Contractual Acumen: Deep understanding of sourcing methodologies, contract law, and the ability to concisely convey contracting options and recommended paths forward.
• Analytical Prowess: Proficiency in data analysis, spend analytics, and financial modeling to identify and realize significant cost savings opportunities.
• Market Insight: Extensive knowledge of relevant technology and labor supplier markets, industry trends, and the competitive landscape.
• Exceptional Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Project Leadership: Proven ability to lead and manage complex sourcing projects from initiation to completion, including managing individual project timelines and driving completion under limited supervision.