Sourcing Specialist IV

Skill; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized health plan

Vision plan

Dental plan

Paid sick leave

Retirement plan with match

Job summary

Aquent Talent is seeking a Sourcing Specialist in Houston to drive large, complex technology RFQs and negotiate favorable terms across software, hardware, telecom, and cloud services.

You will partner with stakeholders to shape sourcing strategies, lead competitive sourcing events, and realize cost savings while ensuring supplier performance and risk mitigation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field
• 5-7 years' experience in technology sourcing or procurement
• Experience with RFQs, RFPs, and vendor negotiations

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies and procurement requirements for technology products and services.
• Lead competitive sourcing events, including RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and supplier evaluations.
• Negotiate software licenses, cloud agreements, MSAs, SOWs, and other technology contracts.
• Identify and execute cost savings, cost avoidance, and O&M reduction opportunities.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and recommend solutions that deliver best value and mitigate risk.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve commercial, contractual, and performance-related issues.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to drive performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct market research, benchmarking, and spend analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Coordinate with Legal, Cybersecurity, Finance, Privacy, and Enterprise Architecture throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and licensing models to provide strategic sourcing guidance.
• Lead high-value, complex procurement initiatives and serve as a technology sourcing subject matter expert.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Stakeholder collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Procurement systems

Spend analysis tools

Sourcing tools

Job description

This position is required to support the ongoing technology sourcing and contract workload across software, hardware, telecommunications, and cloud services. The role drives competitive sourcing, negotiated savings, and supplier governance for enterprise technology investments.

Summary: A Sourcing Specialist is responsible for large, complex technology (Software, Hardware, Telecom) RFQ's. The main function of a Sourcing Specialist is to develop specifications to communicate to vendors and negotiate pricing with those vendors to support the RFQ.

Job Responsibilities:

• Partner with stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies and procurement requirements for technology products and services.
• Lead competitive sourcing events, including RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and supplier evaluations.
• Negotiate software licenses, cloud agreements, MSAs, SOWs, and other technology contracts.
• Identify and execute cost savings, cost avoidance, and O&M reduction opportunities.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and recommend solutions that deliver best value and mitigate risk.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve commercial, contractual, and performance-related issues.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to drive performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct market research, benchmarking, and spend analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Coordinate with Legal, Cybersecurity, Finance, Privacy, and Enterprise Architecture throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and licensing models to provide strategic sourcing guidance.
• Lead high-value, complex procurement initiatives and serve as a technology sourcing subject matter expert.

Skills:

• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to ethical business practices.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and achieve alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with executive, technical, and supplier audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, procurement systems, spend analysis, and sourcing tools.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing, supplier management, and technology procurement best practices.
• Experience negotiating software licensing, cloud services, telecommunications, hardware, and professional services agreements.
• Understanding of commercial, legal, financial, cybersecurity, and vendor risk considerations within the procurement lifecycle.
• Ability to identify and implement cost savings, cost avoidance, and O&M reduction opportunities.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• 5-7 years' experience

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

Helping all candidates find great careers is our goal. The information you provide here is secure and confidential.