Because this position requires regular on-site work at our Creative Studios in Westlake, Ohio, we will focus on candidates who currently reside in Northeast Ohio. The IT Vendor Management, Sourcing and Procurement Specialist is responsible for leading strategic IT vendor relationships and overseeing sourcing, procurement, contract, and license management activities across a multi-vendor technology environment. This role ensures vendors meet performance, service, compliance, and cost expectations while partnering closely with IT and business stakeholders to identify technology solutions, lead vendor selection and procurement processes, support operational efficiency, and develop vendor capital and expense budget estimates as input to the annual budgeting process. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Maintain the list of preferred vendors and keep abreast of the vendor landscape to retire and replace vendors as the market or individual vendor peformance changes • Develop and execute standard onboarding, training and off boarding processes/policies for vendors • Work closely with colleagues in IT and business operations to understand and meet their requirements and expectations of vendor performance • Develop vendor performance scorecards and directly or through vendor owners monitor day-to-day vendor operations and performance against service-level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs), examine measured results for problem determination and root cause analysis, and works with the vendors on continuous improvement • Ensure enterprise-wide needs for due diligence, risk assessment and continuing vendor monitoring are being accomplished • Facilitate and lead vendor dispute/issue resolution and escalation • Establish, maintain or update technology license management processes • Complete vendor initiated audits • Partner with IT Delivery Managers to assure appropriate support processes and license compliance are established prior to project initiation and production deployments • Lead multiple vendor selection processes with application delivery and business process owners across a wide scope of technology including initial need analysis, identifying solution providers, managing request for proposal process and vendor selection • Leads and assists with negotiating contract terms, conditions, modifications, incentives and remedies, while working with key stakeholders to ensure their requirements are met • Lead support and subscription rewal processes ensuring value and right sizing of the environment is incorporated into the renewal • Review and monitor vendor invoices to ensure appropriateness • Focusing on continuously improving sourcing processes that align with business needs to ensure the best possible performance and outcomes for our internal customers • Provide annual cost estimate inputs into the current fiscal year and future years capital and expense budgeting process • Facilitates the design, implementation, and management of process improvements to deliver increase in operational efficiency in all contractor processes • Maintain or update technology contract library Experience Required: Required Length & Type of Experience: • 7+ years of enterprise technology procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor relationship management in a multi-vendor IT environment across hardware, software, XaaS, and contractor services • Experience leading complex, high-value IT contract negotiations with strategic technology vendors such as Microsoft, Adobe, Broadcom, IBM, networking and data communications providers, value added resellers (VARs), and other enterprise technology partners • Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple levels of the organization, including internal stakeholders and external vendors • Knowledge of software licensing models (perpetual, subscription, cloud, etc.), hardware licensing, and related support and professional services agreements • Vendor Lifecycle Management and sourcing experience • Working knowledge of value added resellers models and relationships • Familiarity with asset management and software licensing audits • Background in developing vendor-related budget inputs for corporate fiscal budgeting processes Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: • Creating vendor performance metrics/scorecards • Ability to develop contracts and work with legal team as needed to negotiation with vendors • Excellent relationship building skills and aptitude for working collaboratively with cross-functional groups • Demonstrated ability to effectively manage process improvement plans, implement programs and evaluate outcomes required • Self-starter with high degree of drive, initiative, and follow through • Strong communication skills both written and verbal required • Possess excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently • Must maintain a positive, partnering type approach with all stakeholders • Demonstrates professionalism to support a culture of integrity • Ability to work in a high activity/fast paced environment Education Required: B.A. or B.S. in Business Administration or related field from a four year College or University and 7+ years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience