Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager

Aquent; Foster City (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent in Foster City, CA is seeking a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for IT Software & Services. This role leads end-to-end IT sourcing, negotiates complex software contracts, and partners with engineering, finance, legal, and business leaders to optimize technology investments.

The position is located in the San Francisco Bay Area with hybrid work and a six-month contract-to-hire pathway. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in strategic sourcing for tech categories and a strong track record of

Qualifications

• 8+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or related field.
• Experience negotiating IT/software contracts and licensing.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, including TCO analysis.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing across IT software, hardware, SaaS and services.
• Develop category strategies aligned with business goals and tech needs.
• Own complex supplier negotiations, redlining, pricing, and terms.
• Collaborate with IT, engineering, finance, legal, and business teams.
• Identify cost optimization through market intelligence and RFPs.
• Evaluate suppliers and manage relationships to reduce risk.
• Support source-to-pay processes and procurement workflows.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

IT software

Contract negotiations

SaaS licensing

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial analysis

Vendor relationships

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Are you an experienced strategic sourcing leader who thrives on complex technology negotiations, building strong supplier partnerships, and driving measurable business value? Aquent is partnering with an innovative leader in autonomous mobility to find a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager, IT Software & Services. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape sourcing strategies across critical technology categories, including enterprise software, SaaS, IT hardware, and professional services. You’ll work closely with engineering, IT, finance, legal, and business leaders to negotiate strategic agreements, optimize technology investments, and develop scalable sourcing solutions. If you enjoy owning complex negotiations, influencing senior stakeholders, and working in a fast-paced technology environment, we’d love to connect.

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Foster City, CA) | Hybrid | Contract-to-Hire Opportunity

About the Opportunity

Our client is transforming the future of transportation through groundbreaking autonomous mobility technology. As a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will play a critical role in supporting the technology, infrastructure, and supplier partnerships that enable continued innovation and growth.

This position combines strategic category management, hands‑on contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, and financial analysis. You’ll take ownership of complex sourcing initiatives from initial strategy and supplier evaluation through negotiation, contracting, and ongoing supplier management.

This is an initial six‑month contract-to-hire opportunity based in Foster City, California, offering the chance to make a meaningful impact within a highly innovative technology organization.

What You Will Do

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives across IT software, hardware, SaaS, ERP, CRM, networking technologies, and professional services.
• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies that align with business priorities, technology requirements, and long-term operational goals.
• Own complex supplier negotiations, including contract drafting, redlining, pricing, commercial terms, and risk mitigation.
• Partner closely with IT, engineering, finance, legal, and cross‑functional business stakeholders to evaluate requirements, influence sourcing decisions, and execute agreements.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities through market intelligence, competitive bidding, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis.
• Evaluate, select, and manage strategic suppliers while strengthening relationships, improving performance, and mitigating operational and commercial risks.
• Analyze complex sourcing proposals, pricing models, and contractual structures to deliver measurable business value.
• Support and improve source-to-pay processes, procurement workflows, and supplier management practices as the organization continues to scale.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, indirect category management, contracting, or supply chain management.
• 4+ years of experience sourcing technology categories, including enterprise software, IT hardware, technology services, and related supplier agreements.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex IT and software contracts, including commercial terms, contract language, redlines, and supplier agreements.
• Strong understanding of SaaS licensing, enterprise technology procurement, ERP/CRM platforms, and technology vendor relationships.
• Proven ability to lead sourcing initiatives from supplier identification and competitive evaluation through negotiation and contract execution.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including pricing evaluations, cost modeling, benchmarking, and TCO analysis.
• Experience partnering with legal, finance, engineering, IT, and business stakeholders to navigate complex sourcing decisions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
• A proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset and the ability to operate independently in a dynamic, fast‑growing technology environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or MBA in Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience sourcing technology products or services within autonomous vehicles, automotive technology, high‑tech, or other rapidly evolving engineering environments.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives or collaborating with engineering and program management teams.
• Background developing scalable procurement processes, improving supplier partnerships, and supporting organizations experiencing significant growth.