Strategic IT Sourcing & Vendor Management Lead

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc.; Taylor (TX); On-site; USD 103,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. is seeking an IT Category Manager – Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management to shape category strategies across software, cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity spend.

You will partner with IT leadership, Legal, Cybersecurity, and Finance to drive negotiations, supplier governance, and risk‑aware value realization. The role requires 5+ years in IT procurement, a strong negotiation track record, and experience with complex enterprise tech agreements.

Qualifications

• Requires minimum 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements.
• Experience in IT strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, vendor management, or technology commercial management.
• Prefer demonstrated experience negotiating complex enterprise technology agreements and managing strategic suppliers.
• Prefer working knowledge of software licensing, SaaS, cloud consumption, IT infrastructure, hardware, professional services, cybersecurity, and emerging technology commercial models.
• Prefer experience with supplier performance management, scorecards, KPIs, SLAs, governance, and executive business reviews.
• Prefer strong negotiation, stakeholder management, written communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Prefer experience in a regulated, critical‑infrastructure, utility, ISO/RTO, or similarly complex operating environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain multi-year sourcing and category strategies for assigned IT spend categories (software/SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, hardware, cybersecurity, telecommunications, professional services, and emerging technology).
• Lead competitive sourcing activities (RFPs, RFQs, supplier and commercial evaluations) and develop negotiation strategies for significant technology purchases and renewals.
• Provide governance support through the IT Vendor Management Office, including scorecards, KPIs, SLAs, and executive reviews.
• Maintain forward-looking pipeline of significant IT contract renewals, expirations, and sourcing events with early strategy planning.
• Collaborate with Legal, Cybersecurity, Finance, Architecture, IT, TPRM and business stakeholders to optimize value and minimize risk.

Skills

IT Category Management

Strategic Sourcing

Vendor Management

Negotiation

Contracting

Data Analytics

Stakeholder Management

Executive Reporting

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Finance/Supply Chain

Master's Degree MBA (Preferred)

CPSM Certification (Preferred)

Job description

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. is seeking an IT Category Manager – Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management to shape category strategies across software, cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity spend.

You will partner with IT leadership, Legal, Cybersecurity, and Finance to drive negotiations, supplier governance, and risk‑aware value realization. The role requires 5+ years in IT procurement, a strong negotiation track record, and experience with complex enterprise tech agreements.