Manager, Software Category Management

Position Overview:

The Global Software Category Management specialist will driving Global Consolidation, strategic sourcing, management, and optimization of our software portfolio and delivering significant value through strategic negotiation, innovative contract design. Build supplier resilience, benchmark, cultivating strong relationships with key partners.

This critical role will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that maximize value, mitigate risk, and align with our overall business objectives. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the software landscape, excellent negotiation skills, and a proven track record of successfully managing complex software relationships and market making.

Effectively navigate and collaborate across diverse cultural landscapes, ensuring alignment and success in a global context.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for various software categories (e.g., SaaS, infrastructure software, development tools, enterprise applications) based on market analysis, business needs, and total cost of ownership.
• Drive strategic consolidation while incorporating regional requirements and considerations. Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., IB’s, COE’s, Finance, Legal, VMO, Purchasing) to understand current and future software needs
• Identify and analyze key market trends, supplier landscape, and technological advancements within the software industry
• Lead negotiations for software contracts, licenses, and renewals to achieve optimal pricing, terms, and service levels
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations and KPIs, proactively addressing any issues. Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with software vendors and contracts
• Effectively communicate category strategies, sourcing decisions, and performance updates to key stakeholders across the organization
• Act as a subject matter expert on software category management within the company
• Value Generation & Deal Management - through strategic negotiation and innovative

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to construct complex global IT contract negotiations, including innovative deal structuring and risk mitigation, Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to manage diverse situations and master the intricacies of the art of negotiation.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, with a significant focus on software
• Deep understanding of various software licensing models (e.g., Benchmarking, perpetual, subscription, usage-based, SPLA) and contract terms of leading softwares like Salesfource, Microsoft, SAP, Servicenow…etc
• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for all Salesforce, Microsoft software categories aligned with business objectives and technology roadmap
• Salesforce - Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Commerce Cloud, Platform, MuleSoft, Tableau, Slack, AppExchange solutions
• Microsoft - Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, Windows Server, SQL Server, developer tools
• Excellent negotiation, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills
• Proven track record of managing significant contracted spending (multimillion dollar) and delivering substantial cost savings and avoidance
• Knowledge of relevant software procurement tools and technologies, strong understanding of risk management and compliance principles related to software.
• Ability to navigate diverse legal and cultural negotiation styles, adapting strategies to achieve favorable outcomes in various regions
• Ability to analyze complex data to drive global consolidation and cost optimization
• Must be able to gain buy in from many different departments and global regions, to achieve compliance
• Must be able to work with suppliers from many different countries, and be aware of differing business practices.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Certified Procurement Manager (CPM/CPSM) or equivalent certification from a recognized institution (e.g., ISM) and or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, with a significant focus on software
• Deep understanding of various software licensing models (e.g., Benchmarking, perpetual, subscription, usage-based) and contract terms of leading softwares like Salesfource, Microsoft, SAP, Servicenow…etc
• Excellent negotiation, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills
• Proven track record of managing significant contracted spending (multimillion dollar) and delivering substantial cost savings and avoidance
• Knowledge of relevant software procurement tools and technologies, strong understanding of risk management and compliance principles related to software.

Category Management will actively engage with the six other domains to drive improvements, optimization and value engineering initiatives. This collaboration will focus on enhancing effectiveness, disseminating market insights, sourcing vendors, structuring deals, and facilitating final decisions, all while securing the most favorable and flexible commercial agreements.