Software Commodity Manager

Description:

• Leads cross functional teams made up of business unit developers/engineers, IT professionals, and contract specialists
• Manage global sourcing strategies for our key software suppliers
• Achieve year-on-year improvement in total cost, quality, and service while leading regional and global sourcing management activities and leading supplier relationships
• With guidance from the Manager of Strategic Sourcing, develop the sourcing strategy for assigned software and technology commodities and suppliers, using input from the sourcing team and key global/regional stakeholders within the business units.
• The sourcing strategy will drive the continuous improvement of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the assigned commodities.
• Negotiate commercial terms with software vendors, including price, caps on increases, payment terms, service levels, cancellation for convenience.
• Interface with Legal to incorporate acceptable legal terms
• Drive implementation of the sourcing strategy for assigned commodities.
• Once a sourcing strategy has been developed, the Commodity Manager will communicate, monitor and aggressively manage business unit compliance of the strategy.
• The Manager will also establish working relationships with other functions (e.g. Engineering, Plant Operations, Suppliers and Product Quality, etc.), bringing a Strategic Sourcing perspective to all key processes.
• Develop an expertise in the business unit products and/or corporate function needs and capabilities for commodities and services.
• The Commodity Manager partners with business units and functions to understand their goals and objectives and formulates strategies to achieve desired business results.
• On an ongoing basis, the Manager will remain current on service and supply market trends, supplier economics, and best practice sourcing.
• Responsible for Global Supplier Management.
• The Commodity Manager will monitor and evaluate supplier performance around security, quality, delivery, lead time of all suppliers.
• Conduct regular strategic business reviews with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement of the supply base.
• Measure and track performance on Sourcing KPIs within each commodity or service.
• The Commodity Manager will be responsible for monthly reporting to senior management on key performance indicators within the supply chain.
• These KPI's may include savings, quality, delivery, lead time, market trends, etc.
• Identify and implement Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction opportunities for assigned software and technology / services.
• Within the business unit or function, the Commodity Manager will champion annual productivity improvements by leading internal and joint supplier/unit teams pursuing TCO reduction opportunities in alignment with the sourcing strategy (e.g. security expectations, improving supplier operations, demand management, improving supply chain flexibility, etc.).
• Facilitate a culture in which everyone can do their best work through inclusion, engagement, and retention.
• Ensure thorough familiarity with policies and procedures relating to Sourcing and standards of business conduct.
• Comply with all policies and procedures.
• Provide support for other IT commodities as needed, including Embedded Software, Hardware, Telecommunications, Engineering Tools, and IT Services
• This position will pivot in the types of support and actions needed to support successfully. There will be shifting priorities which may lead to a mix of daily duties including; support of legal reviews, negotiations with suppliers, facilitation of security reviews, workshops with engineers
• Continuous improvement of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the assigned commodity/services which include productivity and cash flow.
• Successful (on time and accurate) completion and facilitation of security reviews.
• Management of Risk factors (valid contracts, cost and cash flow controls, facilitation of security reviews)
• Work Hours - 8am to 5pm

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering or Supply Chain Management.
• Advanced formal degree preferred
• Software negotiation experience required
• Needs experience negotiating commercial terms with software vendors, including price, caps on increases, payment terms, service levels, cancellation for convenience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in indirect sourcing and/or strategic sourcing or an operations discipline in a manufacturing and/or industrial environment
• Must have experience with negotiating medium to large software agreements - at least some at $1M+ in size Examples of software for reference - Microsoft, Workday, SAP, Oracle.
• Basic knowledge of commodities (Direct / Indirect, depending on role), supply management practices and analytics
• Proven experience in conflict resolution, strategy development and project management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects / assignments requiring identification of objectives, resources and/or approaches.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems is essential, preferably SAP.
• Knowledge in data architecture and management applications (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Strong team leader/contributor, comfortable in leading cross functional and multi-cultural teams.
• High energy, driven and enthusiastic about opportunities to establish new approaches to reduce Total Cost Ownership (TCO).
• Exceptional problem solving and project management skills
• Excellent presentation and communication skills (written and verbal) to various levels internal and external to
• Proficient in dealing with language and cultural barriers
• Capable of capturing and transforming an idea/concept into business opportunity and deliver positive results
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects / assignments requiring identification of objectives, resources and/or approaches.
• Ability to effectively influence key stakeholders without a direct reporting relationship.
• Embraces and demonstrates leadership characteristics that foster a culture of inclusion.
• There will be a need for the ability to manage multiple sourcing projects at one time, project management skills or experience is desirable.
• A basic understanding of Software security practices will be essential in the success of this role.

Benefits:
Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.
Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.
Vision Insurance : Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first enrollment date that is at least 30 days after employment begins. Enrollment dates are each January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.
Technical Certification Bonus: Synectics is pleased to award its employees a bonus of up to $500 for an approved professional certification. In determining the bonus amount, Synectics will consider the cost of the test(s) for any certification relating to your current position, achieved during your employment with us. Only one Certification Bonus per calendar year may be awarded per employee. Only current, active employees will be eligible to receive this bonus. It will be awarded 90 days after the Synectics office has received documentation confirming the successful completion of the certification.
Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.