The posting
The Opportunity:
Handles significant and unique sourcing challenges in niche or highly regulated categories that require evaluating intangibles, devising innovative solutions, and often departing from traditional approaches to achieve optimal outcomes. Makes a substantial impact on achieving the department's strategic priorities by managing large-scale, multidimensional, and company-wide sourcing projects and initiatives, like supplier selection and performance management, contract negotiations and risk mitigation. Leads and directs the activities of cross-functional teams within these projects to ensure seamless execution and alignment. Communicates and negotiates effectively with senior management, influencing key strategic decisions through expert insights and actionable recommendations. Builds and nurtures strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, leveraging persuasive communication and negotiation to achieve organizational objectives.
We are seeking an experienced Global IT Sourcing Senior Manager – Software to lead our global sourcing strategy across enterprise software, cloud services, cybersecurity, data & analytics, and technology platforms. This strategic leadership role is responsible for managing approximately $50–60 million in annual spend, driving sourcing excellence, supplier governance, cost optimization, and procurement compliance across the organization.
You will partner closely with senior stakeholders including the CPO, CIO, Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Finance, Legal, Risk, Operations, and regional sourcing teams to ensure technology investments align with business priorities and deliver maximum value.
This role is ideal for a procurement leader who combines strong commercial acumen, supplier negotiation expertise, governance experience, and deep knowledge of enterprise software and cloud technologies.
Location: Czech Republic Department: Global Indirect Sourcing Reports To: Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)
Key Responsibilities
Strategic IT Sourcing Leadership
- Develop and execute the global sourcing strategy and multi-year roadmap for enterprise software, cloud services, cybersecurity, data & analytics, SaaS solutions, and technology platforms.
- Lead sourcing activities for key strategic suppliers including SAP, Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, and other major technology providers.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization, license rationalization, risk reduction, and supplier consolidation.
- Align sourcing strategies with technology roadmaps and business transformation initiatives.
Governance & Compliance
- Own and continuously improve the enterprise-wide indirect sourcing governance framework, including policies, standards, controls, approval processes, and sourcing playbooks.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, delegated authority requirements, supplier onboarding processes, and competitive bidding standards.
- Lead sourcing governance councils and steering committees to monitor compliance, supplier performance, and value realization.
Supplier & Contract Management
- Manage strategic supplier relationships through executive business reviews, performance scorecards, service-level agreements, and commercial reviews.
- Lead complex contract negotiations, renewals, software licensing agreements, cloud consumption models, and supplier risk assessments.
- Drive continuous improvement through supplier performance management and remediation initiatives where required.
Savings & Value Delivery
- Deliver sustainable year-over-year savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and operational efficiencies.
- Oversee software license optimization and utilization programs to maximize return on investment.
- Track, validate, and report sourcing benefits through established governance processes.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and develop a global IT sourcing team while coordinating regional sourcing leads and category managers.
- Build strong relationships with senior business, IT, Finance, Legal, and Operations stakeholders.
- Provide executive-level reporting and insights on spend, supplier risk, contract exposure, sourcing pipeline, savings delivery, and strategic recommendations.
Market Intelligence & Innovation
- Stay current with emerging technology trends, software licensing models, cloud economics, cybersecurity requirements, and procurement best practices.
- Translate market developments into actionable sourcing strategies that support organizational objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Information Technology, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or vendor management.
- Proven experience managing enterprise software, SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and technology services spend.
- Demonstrated success negotiating complex agreements with global technology suppliers.
- Experience managing sourcing programs valued at $50M+ annually.
- Strong understanding of software licensing, cloud commercial models, procurement governance, and supplier risk management.
- Experience leading global, regional, or matrix teams in complex multinational environments.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and executive communication skills.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to translate data into business insights.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience sourcing with providers such as SAP, Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, Oracle, Google Cloud, or similar strategic technology partners.
- Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, CSCP, PMP, or equivalent.
- Experience establishing procurement governance frameworks and sourcing centers of excellence.
- Knowledge of technology procurement trends, cloud economics, cybersecurity requirements, and digital transformation programs.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape and lead the global IT sourcing strategy for a complex international organization.
- High visibility with executive leadership and key business stakeholders.
- Strategic ownership of major technology supplier relationships and enterprise procurement initiatives.
- Collaborative global environment focused on innovation, transformation, and continuous improvement.
- Competitive compensation package and career growth opportunities.
If you are a strategic sourcing leader with deep expertise in software and technology procurement, we invite you to join us and help drive the future of our global sourcing organization.
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Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
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