IT Category Manager

Grant Thornton is seeking an IT Category Manager to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below. Grant Thornton’s Global Sourcing, Procurement and Vendor Management team is looking for an IT Category Manager to lead the commercial discussions and negotiations for goods/services provided by its IT suppliers. The category manager will be responsible for sourcing strategic services by identifying the most relevant and competitive acceptable supply sources, facilitating and coordinating RFx process, and working with legal to negotiate and finalize agreements. Working with the Grant Thornton business stakeholders, the IT category manager will establish best in class procurement practices when third party IT products and services are negotiated and contracted. The ideal candidate will have deep domain expertise with Microsoft Enterprise Licensing Agreements, renewals, and true‑ups. The candidate will have demonstrated knowledge in at least several of the technology stacks including application development and support, infrastructure, telecom, MSPs, and operations. The candidate will have experience with source‑to‑pay platforms, with SAP Ariba experience a plus. The ideal candidate will have deep domain expertise with Microsoft Enterprise Licensing Agreements, renewals, and true‑ups. The candidate will have demonstrated knowledge in at least several of the technology stacks including application development and support, infrastructure, telecom, MSPs, and operations. The candidate will have experience with source‑to‑pay platforms, with SAP Ariba experience a plus. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Ensure all business, functional, and technical requirements for all goods or services are properly vetted, market ready, and commercially executed. Provide expert strategic sourcing support and leadership for all aspects of procurement projects with a specific focus on technology products and services. Achieve savings by improving internal processes and procedures, implementing supply chain efficiencies, understanding and reducing total cost of ownership, and balancing the overall cost, quality, and effectiveness for purchased IT products and services. Provide market insight, benchmarking, and commodity expertise to the firm for decision making. Generate annual IT category plans which incorporate sourcing project waves to meet business goals and technology savings objectives. Support and/or lead the analysis, selection, implementation, management and use of process automation, including eProcurement, Contract Lifecycle Management and eSourcing as applicable to add efficiencies, increase effectiveness, and contain costs for the firm’s expenditures. Coordinate with business stakeholders to ensure supplier sourcing strategies are aligned with enterprise goals and objectives. Evaluate, analyze, and score supplier proposals with stakeholders and recommend strategic path forward. Review contracts with technology SMEs, business stakeholders, and legal while ensuring proper contract terminology. Develop service provider evaluation metrics to allow for fair and equitable scoring of suppliers. Leverage Ariba, ADO, and Power BI for processing transactions, analysis, and tracking of work. Negotiate contracts expiring on an annual basis and new deals/supplier deals. Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Degree(s) (e.g. Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or a related field is required) Bachelor Degree in Business, Strategic Sourcing/Procurement, Technology or equivalent business experience. Minimum of 8+ years’ of experience in working in technology based strategic sourcing / IT supplier management. Proven abilities and experience in technology, services procurement, and contract negotiations. Expert and demonstrable knowledge of sourcing and procurement best practices and issues. Ability to simultaneously and efficiently manage and communicate on multiple changing priorities with a variety of stakeholders. Proven ability to lead all phases of the acquisition process for high dollar, high impact procurement projects. Outstanding verbal and written communication, including proven ability to comfortably interact with all levels of leadership, including one-on-one interaction with CIO, CFO, and firm partners. Must possess analytical and technical skills required to understand business practices and recommend automation opportunities. A highly motivated self‑starter with the ability to plan, create, and execute own ideas. Awareness of benchmarking tools/options (Gartner/ISM, etc.) to support best practices and supplier recommendations Experience in applying risk management within procurement. Expert knowledge of supplier evaluation and contract design and legal elements. Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment. Ability to both manage and prioritize fluctuation of work levels to achieve results. The base salary range for this position is between $104,000 and $156,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. BENEFITS Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period. Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation. It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr