Manager , Strategic Buyer Global Technology (Indirect)

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Ahmedabad District; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. seeks an experienced Strategic Buyer - Global Technology (Indirect) to lead complex, end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives up to USD 15 million across global technology categories.

This senior role partners with Directors and VPs across North America, Europe, and APAC to shape demand, influence strategies, and secure optimal commercial outcomes. The successful candidate will bring hands-on SaaS agreements expertise, supplier redlines experience, and skilled IT services

Qualifications

• 10+ years in procurement and strategic sourcing.
• 5-7 years IT procurement experience across SaaS, software, cloud, telecom, managed services, or IT professional services.
• Proven experience negotiating SaaS agreements with Legal and business stakeholders.
• Experience with global suppliers across multiple geographies, especially NA and Europe.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred; professional certification is a plus.
• Willingness to work North America-aligned hours/night shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing projects up to USD 15 million across technology categories such as SaaS, software, cloud, and IT services.
• Negotiate complex SaaS subscriptions and licensing, align with Legal and Security, and drive contract closure.
• Ensure procurement governance, policy adherence, and audit-ready documentation across source-to-pay processes.
• Manage supplier evaluation, onboarding, performance, and risk within category strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement, cost models, and value creation through framework development.
• Influence global stakeholders and lead knowledge sharing across functions and geographies.

Skills

Technology Procurement

Strategic Sourcing

Contracting

Negotiation

SaaS Agreements

Vendor Redlines

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA preferred

Procurement certification preferred

Tools

SAP Ariba

SAP S/4/ECC

Coupa

ServiceNow

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Role Summary

The Strategic Buyer - Global Technology (Indirect) leads complex, end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives of up to USD 15 million across global technology categories within the Global Procurement Solutions organization. The role requires strong commercial acumen, deep expertise in technology sourcing, and the ability to structure and negotiate complex, multi-year agreements that deliver measurable business value. Operating as a senior individual contributor, this role partners with Director and VP-level stakeholders across North America, Europe, and APAC to shape demand, influence sourcing strategies, and drive optimal commercial outcomes. The role is accountable for sourcing excellence, procurement governance, contract compliance, and continuous improvement across the source-to-pay lifecycle. The successful candidate must bring hands‑on expertise in SaaS agreements, supplier redlines, and complex IT services negotiations, working closely with Legal and cross‑functional stakeholders to achieve successful contracting outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Strategic Sourcing & Project Delivery Lead end-to-end sourcing projects of up to USD 15 million across SaaS, enterprise software, cloud, telecom, managed services, and IT services. Develop sourcing strategies covering supplier segmentation, RFx design, commercial structures, TCO and cost models, negotiation plans, communications, and award recommendations. Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and cost modelling to identify value levers, savings, and cost-avoidance opportunities. Own complex sourcing initiatives aligned with business priorities, procurement KPIs, and committed outcomes.


• 2. Contract Negotiation & Commercial Management Lead complex negotiations for SaaS subscriptions, software licensing, cloud services, managed services, telecom, and IT professional services. Review supplier contractual redlines and collaborate with Legal, Information Security, Finance, IT, and business stakeholders to resolve issues and drive agreements to closure. Structure agreements to optimize pricing, service levels, contractual protections, risk allocation, and long‑term value. Manage contract lifecycle activities including drafting, negotiation, validation, execution, renewals, amendments, Statements of Work, and Change Requests. Clearly articulate negotiation strategy, tactics deployed, stakeholder alignment, and measurable commercial outcomes.


• 3. Procurement Compliance & Governance Own and enforce compliance with sourcing policies, approval thresholds, controls, and governance frameworks. Ensure correct usage of procurement tools, approved workflows, and standardized processes, including SAP Ariba and ServiceNow. Act as an escalation point for contract compliance and ensure contracts accurately reflect approved commercial and legal positions. Perform compliance checks across SOW, CR, Purchase Request, and Sourcing Request processes and maintain audit‑ready documentation. Partner with Finance, Accounting, Legal, Security, IT, and Audit teams to protect governance integrity and mitigate risk.


• 4. Supplier & Contract Management Lead supplier evaluation, selection, onboarding, and performance management based on category strategy and defined criteria. Drive supplier consolidation, innovation, performance improvement, cost efficiency, and long‑term value creation. Manage supplier risks using structured governance, KPIs, scorecards, and quarterly business reviews. Build strategic partnerships with global suppliers across North America, Europe, and other relevant geographies.


• 5. Value Creation & Continuous Improvement Identify and implement improvements across sourcing and procurement operations. Drive demand optimization, supplier rationalization, AI‑enabled sourcing, RFx optimization, and intake workflow automation. Develop reusable sourcing frameworks, templates, playbooks, and best practices. Support procurement transformation and maturity‑building initiatives within the GCC.


• 6. Stakeholder Management Advise and influence global stakeholders and category leads to shape sourcing strategies and optimize outcomes. Collaborate with Category Managers, Finance, Legal, IT Directors and VPs, Information Security, and business teams across geographies. Align sourcing activity with broader category, regional, and enterprise objectives. Operate effectively across time zones, particularly with North American and European stakeholders.


• 7. Mentorship & Team Support Act as a senior mentor and knowledge leader within the Buying Desk. Guide junior team members on complex sourcing events, negotiations, contracting challenges, and problem‑solving. Drive knowledge sharing, capability development, and procurement upskilling initiatives.

Required Functional Skills & Expertise

• Technology Procurement


• Strategic Sourcing


• Contracting


• Negotiation


• SaaS, software licensing, cloud, telecom, managed services, IT professional services, and global technology suppliers


• Category strategy, RFx/eSourcing, supplier evaluation, spend analysis, market intelligence, TCO, cost modelling, and award recommendations


• SAP Ariba Sourcing and Contracts; SAP S/4 or ECC, Coupa or equivalent; ServiceNow; Excel; Power BI (preferred)


• SaaS agreements, vendor redlines, SOWs, change requests, contract lifecycle management, renewals, and commercial risk assessment


• Structured negotiation planning, leverage creation, stakeholder alignment, supplier negotiation, and measurable value delivery


• Governance Tools & Systems: Procurement policies, approval thresholds, compliance controls, audit readiness, and source‑to‑pay governance


• Soft / Power Skills: Strategic Thinking: Translate business needs into practical sourcing and commercial strategies. Leadership Without Authority: Influence stakeholders across functions and geographies. Negotiation Excellence: Apply a structured, fact‑based approach to complex technology negotiations. Analytical Problem‑Solving: Use data, cost models, and market insights to guide decisions. Executive Communication: Explain complex procurement strategies and contract positions clearly. Stakeholder Management: Build trust and effectively manage senior global stakeholders. Change Mindset: Challenge the status quo and drive process and technology improvements. Resilience & Agility: Navigate ambiguity, competing priorities, and global time‑zone requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in procurement and strategic sourcing.


• 5-7 years of direct IT Procurement experience across SaaS, software, cloud, telecom, managed services, or IT professional services.


• Demonstrated experience negotiating SaaS agreements and reviewing supplier redlines in partnership with Legal and business stakeholders.


• Proven technology negotiation experience, with the ability to explain the situation, strategy, tactics, stakeholder alignment, and commercial outcome.


• Experience working with global suppliers and stakeholders across multiple geographies, primarily North America and Europe.


• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred.


• Professional procurement certification such as CPSM, CIPS, ISM, or equivalent is preferred.


• Willingness and flexibility to work North America‑aligned hours / night shifts.

Critical Screening Criteria

• 10+ years of overall procurement experience


• 5-7 years specifically in IT Procurement


• SaaS and technology contract negotiation experience


• Hands‑on review of vendor redlines with Legal


• Successful IT services negotiation examples with measurable outcomes


• Global supplier and stakeholder experience, particularly North America and Europe


• Readiness to work North America‑aligned / night shifts


• Preferred MBA and/or recognized procurement certification

Success Metrics (KPIs)

• Savings delivery and cost avoidance.


• Sourcing compliance and policy adherence.


• Cycle time and project delivery efficiency.


• Stakeholder satisfaction.


• Working capital optimization.


• Supplier performance and consolidation impact.


• Process improvements implemented and adopted.

Role Type

Individual Contributor

Location

Ahmedabad or Bangalore