Okta

Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing - Technology

Okta • $179K — $246K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field (Master's preferred)
  • 10+ years in strategic sourcing and procurement with leadership experience in Technology sourcing
  • Strong understanding of sourcing methodologies, contract negotiations, and supplier management
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Proficient in procurement software and advanced Excel (e.g., Coupa, Workday, SAP)
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in ambiguous situations

Responsibilities

  • Lead execution of strategic sourcing strategies for Technology categories
  • Develop long-term category strategies for Technology spend
  • Establish KPIs and governance models for sourcing activities
  • Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives
  • Conduct complex contract negotiations and manage associated risks
  • Collaborate with senior stakeholders across various functions
  • Mentor and develop a high-performing team of Category Managers
  • Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships
  • Conduct market research for supplier selection
  • Drive M&A activity related to technology agreements
  • Regularly update leadership on sourcing strategy and market trends
  • Ensure compliance with ethical standards and legal requirements

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company contribution
  • Flexible spending account
  • Paid leave including PTO and parental leave
  • Equity and bonus potential based on performance
  • Comprehensive onboarding process to enhance integration into the company
Full Job Description
As a Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing, you will establish operational objectives, policies, and work plans for the Technology category function, and will delegate and oversee execution across your team. You will drive the strategy and success of the most complex, highest-value Technology sourcing initiatives - often working through ambiguous, undefined problems that lack established precedent - while ensuring alignment with company-wide objectives. You will be accountable for your team's budget and its impact on the broader business segment, and will be expected to advise SS&P and cross-functional leadership on moderately-to-highly complex Technology sourcing matters. You will need to work closely with senior stakeholders internally and across the Technology organization to build long-term category strategy and execute tactical short-term actions aligned with strategic objectives, while strengthening existing supplier partnerships and building new ones in line with that strategy. You will be responsible for creating and enforcing policies to drive the Technology category strategy, developing your team's capabilities, and optimizing sourcing resources to deliver improved operational efficiency and value to the business. This role will report to the Director of Sourcing & Procurement. This hybrid office role, 2 days a week in office, requires being based in either Bellevue, WA, or the San Francisco Bay Area. Key Responsibilities: - Implement Sourcing Strategy: Lead the execution of strategic sourcing strategies for Technology categories (Software, Network, SaaS, IaaS, Telephony, AI) to optimize procurement in line with company objectives, including cost reduction, risk mitigation, and driving efficiency. - Strategic Planning: Develop 3-5 year rolling category strategies for Technology spend by working closely with Technology stakeholders to understand long-term needs and translate those insights into operational sourcing strategy. - Process & Governance: Develop, implement, and oversee KPIs for Technology sourcing activities; help strengthen and operationalize SS&P processes and policies, establishing a governance model to drive performance, mitigate risk, and continuously improve outcomes. - Cost Optimization: Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing decisions, process improvements, and high-stakes supplier negotiations. Develop and track KPIs to measure savings and supplier performance. - Contract Negotiation & Risk Management: Lead the most complex contract negotiations, ensuring favorable terms, pricing, and SLAs. Identify and mitigate internal and external risks associated with Technology purchase transactions, including risks arising from tech contract law and commercial terms. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with senior stakeholders across Finance, Legal, Security, Privacy, and the Technology organization to align sourcing strategies with organizational needs, ensuring policies and procedures are followed and met. - Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Category Managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. Assign and monitor individual and team goals, driving accountability for performance. - Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key Technology suppliers, ensuring they meet performance expectations and contractual agreements. Act as the primary point of contact for critical supplier issues. - Market Analysis & Supplier Selection: Conduct market research and competitive analysis on Technology categories to identify potential suppliers, assess market trends, and lead supplier selection processes. - M&A Support: Drive M&A activity from a Strategic Sourcing perspective, including contract novation and consolidation of Technology agreements. - Stakeholder Reporting & Communication: Regularly update senior leadership on Technology sourcing strategy progress, savings, supplier performance, and market trends, presenting insights in an executive format. - Compliance & Ethical Sourcing: Ensure all Technology sourcing activities adhere to ethical standards, legal requirements, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Minimum Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred. - 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, with a proven track record in a leadership role, and deep experience in Technology sourcing (Infrastructure, SaaS, Telecom, IaaS, AI, etc.). - Strong understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies, contract negotiations, supplier management, and cost optimization techniques, including deep understanding of tech contract law and commercial terms. - Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and executive leadership. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions on ambiguous, undefined problems. - Experience with procurement software and tools, as well as advanced Excel skills (Coupa, Workday Strategic Sourcing/Scout, SAP, Oracle, Ariba, etc.). - Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple priorities and a team simultaneously. Preferred Qualifications: - Broad experience across multiple technology categories and industries preferred. - Professional certifications such as CSCP, CPSM, or CPIM. - Experience in the SaaS industry leading a sourcing function. - Prior managerial/leadership experience with direct reports. The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in the San Francisco Bay area is between: $179,000-$246,400 USD Below is the annual base salary range for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York and Washington. Your actual base salary will depend on factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and work location. In addition, Okta offers equity (where applicable), bonus, and benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), flexible spending account, and paid leave (including PTO and parental leave) in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. To learn more about our Total Rewards program please visit: https://rewards.okta.com/us. The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington is between: $160,000-$220,000 USD The Okta Experience - Supporting Your Well-Being - Driving Social Impact - Developing Talent and Fostering Connection + Community We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in-person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one.

About Okta

Okta is a leading provider of identity and access management solutions for enterprises. The company's cloud-based platform enables organizations to securely connect people and technology, providing secure access to applications and data from any device, anywhere, at any time. Okta's solutions are used by thousands of organizations worldwide, including many Fortune 500 companies. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Okta is committed to providing innovative solutions that help organizations stay secure and productive in today's digital world.
Learn more about Okta
Size
5,342 employees
Market Cap
$10.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$266.3 million
Founded
2009
5 Year Trend
+51.9%
Revenue
$835.4 million
NASDAQ

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