Procurement Analyst 2

Sharp Decisions; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Decisions is seeking a Senior IT Software Procurement Analyst to lead end-to-end software sourcing, negotiations, and vendor governance within a hybrid work model. The role focuses on software, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and IT services, coordinating with IT, Security, Legal, and Finance to optimize licenses and costs.

The ideal candidate will bring 6+ years in IT software procurement, strong licensing literacy, and a data-driven mindset to improve renewal outcomes and vendor performance in a

Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years of IT software/SaaS procurement and vendor management.
• Experience leading software evaluations and complex contract negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise software licensing models (per-user, capacity, SaaS/cloud pricing).
• Proficiency in data-driven financial analysis including TCO/ROI and cost optimization.
• Ability to collaborate across IT, Legal, Finance and Security teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IT procurement initiatives including RFQs, RFPs, and RFIs for software and services.
• Manage a portfolio of 40–50 IT and SaaS vendors and set vendor expectations.
• Oversee software asset management and renewal analysis with usage data.
• Coordinate with Security, Legal and Privacy for vendor evaluations and SOC 2 reviews.
• Apply data analytics and AI tools to streamline contract reviews and reporting.

Skills

6+ years

Software evaluations

Licensing literacy

Data analytics

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Senior IT Software Procurement Analyst – Job Description

Senior IT Software Procurement Analyst

Position Title: Senior IT Software Procurement Analyst

Experience Level: Senior (6+ Years of Experience)

Location: Hybrid (On-site training for 3–4 weeks; 4 days/week remote)

Candidate Scope: Public and Private Sector Candidates (Local State Residents)

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior IT Software Procurement Analyst specializing in Software, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and IT Services Sourcing. In this role, you will lead commercial transactions, contract negotiations, software license renewals, and supplier governance across a dedicated portfolio of 40–50 key IT vendors.

This position serves as a commercial lead and data-driven analytical expert. You will collaborate closely with internal IT stakeholders, Security, Legal, and Finance teams, leveraging usage metrics and technical input to right-size agreements and eliminate waste. The ideal candidate possesses practical job knowledge in IT sourcing and software evaluation without requiring specialized state procurement backgrounds or formal certifications.

Core Responsibilities

• Sourcing & Commercial Negotiations: Lead end-to-end IT procurement initiatives including RFQs, RFPs, and RFIs for software, SaaS, telecommunications, and IT advisory/managed services. Negotiate commercial terms, SLAs, pricing structures, and renewal caps.
• Vendor Portfolio Governance: Maintain commercial oversight and manage day-to-day vendor relationships for a portfolio of 40–50 IT and SaaS vendors. Set clear vendor management expectations while partnering with IT for technical operational management.
• Software Asset Management (SAM) & Renewal Analysis: Proactively manage the 30/60/90-day software renewal pipeline. Analyze usage data, licensing tiers, and seat utilization—utilizing technical input from IT teams—to optimize software agreements and eliminate duplicate capabilities prior to renewal.
• Cross-Functional Risk & Evaluation: Coordinate with Information Security, Legal, and Privacy teams to route software evaluations, SOC 2 reviews, and vendor risk assessments through approval workflows.
• Data-Driven Analysis & AI Tools: Utilize data analytics and modern AI-assisted tools to streamline contract reviews, analyze pricing models, evaluate software functionality, and improve pipeline reporting.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 6+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in IT software/SaaS procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor commercial management.
• Functional Sourcing Expertise: Demonstrated track record leading software evaluations, competitive solicitations (RFP/RFQ), and complex commercial contract negotiations.
• Software & Licensing Literacy: Strong practical knowledge of enterprise software licensing models, including per-user, capacity, consumption-based, and tier-based SaaS/cloud pricing.
• Data & Analytics Competency: Advanced proficiency in data-driven financial analysis, including TCO/ROI analysis, and modern productivity/AI tools to analyze vendor usage metrics and drive cost optimization.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Proven ability to build strong cross-functional alignment across IT, Legal, Finance, and Security partners.
• Residency: Must be a current resident of the state and available for local hybrid work requirements.

Preferred Skills

• Experience bringing commercial and vendor management best practices from either the private or public sector.
• Professional procurement certifications and pre-existing knowledge of statewide procurement regulations are not required.

Security & Administrative Requirements

• Candidate must be local and eligible to convert to FTE.
• No visa sponsorship is available.

Required Skills

• 6+ Years Experience: Progressive, hands-on experience in IT software/SaaS procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor commercial management.
• Functional Sourcing Expertise: Software evaluations, competitive solicitations (RFP/RFQ), and complex commercial contract negotiations.
• Software & Licensing Literacy: Enterprise software licensing models, including per-user, capacity, consumption-based, and tier-based SaaS/cloud pricing.
• Data & Analytics Competency: Data-driven financial analysis, TCO/ROI analysis, modern productivity/AI tools, vendor usage metrics, and cost optimization.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Cross-functional collaboration with IT, Legal, Finance, and Security teams.

Preferred Skills

• Commercial and vendor management experience from either the private or public sector.
• Procurement certifications and prior knowledge of statewide procurement regulations are not required.