Location: Taylor, TX – Onsite at least 2 days per week
Preference: Local candidates or candidates willing to relocate
Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced IT Procurement & RFP Specialist to lead complex IT procurement and strategic sourcing initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in end-to-end RFP/RFQ management, technology contract negotiations, vendor management, and cost optimization.
This role requires someone who can work independently, manage high-value IT procurement portfolios, and collaborate effectively with IT, Legal, Finance, Security, Operations, and executive stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end RFP/RFQ processes for enterprise software, SaaS, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, managed services, and IT professional services.
- Develop RFP documentation, statements of work, technical requirements, evaluation criteria, SLAs, and KPIs.
- Manage vendor evaluations, competitive bidding, proposal analysis, down-selection, and contract award recommendations.
- Negotiate complex IT contracts, including software licensing, SaaS subscriptions, cloud services, maintenance, and professional services agreements.
- Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO), pricing, and financial analyses to identify cost savings and optimize supplier value.
- Manage IT vendor relationships, performance reviews, SLA compliance, vendor qualification, and corrective actions.
- Oversee an annual IT procurement portfolio exceeding $20 million.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align procurement strategies, manage competing priorities, and ensure compliance with organizational policies.
- Prepare executive summaries, vendor comparisons, procurement reports, and contract recommendations.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on IT procurement, strategic sourcing, and technology contract negotiation experience.
- Proven experience managing complex IT RFPs/RFQs across software, SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, infrastructure, or managed services.
- Experience managing IT procurement portfolios of $20M+ annually.
- Strong knowledge of IT licensing models, including perpetual, subscription, SaaS, and consumption-based pricing.
- Experience with software license agreements, cloud service contracts, professional services agreements, and managed services contracts.
- Understanding of data security, privacy, and compliance requirements, including SOC 2 and ISO 27001.
- Experience with ERP procurement systems, contract management platforms, and advanced Excel-based cost modeling.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently and influence stakeholders across technical and business teams.
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, IT, or a related field, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of NERC CIP-013 and CIP-004 requirements.
- CPSM or CTPE certification.
- Relevant AWS, Microsoft, Salesforce, or other IT vendor commercial training.