Daikin Applied is hiring a Strategic Sourcing Manager I - Digital! The Strategic Sourcing Manager I is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, and contract negotiation strategies across enterprise technology spend, including IT hardware, software, SaaS, cloud-related tools, value-added reseller relationships, and technology services. This role partners closely with IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business stakeholders to optimize total cost of ownership, reduce supplier risk, improve commercial outcomes, and ensure sourcing strategies align with technology roadmaps and business priorities.
Location: Remote, MN
What you will do:
- Develop and execute category strategies for hardware, software, SaaS, maintenance, renewals, cloud marketplaces, VARs, and related technology services
- Lead RFx events, bid evaluations, supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and award recommendations for technology sourcing initiatives
- Negotiate pricing, discounts, enterprise license terms, service levels, renewal protections, implementation terms, warranties, support commitments, and risk allocation provisions
- Partner with IT, Legal, Finance, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Architecture, and business owners to align sourcing activity with technical requirements, budget goals, risk posture, and business timelines
- Manage supplier relationships, performance reviews, QBRs, scorecards, escalation resolution, and continuous improvement opportunities with strategic technology suppliers
- Analyze spend, usage, license entitlements, renewal pipelines, supplier consolidation opportunities, and total cost of ownership to identify savings and cost avoidance opportunities
- Support contract lifecycle activities, including renewals, amendments, statements of work, order forms, master agreements, and catalog enablement
- Monitor market trends, pricing benchmarks, supplier roadmaps, technology lifecycle changes, and supply chain constraints affecting hardware and software categories
- Drive compliance with procurement policies, approval workflows, cybersecurity requirements, data privacy standards, legal terms, and ethical sourcing expectations
- Prepare executive-ready sourcing recommendations, negotiation summaries, savings reports, supplier risk assessments, and category performance updates
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, or technology contracting
- Experience sourcing and negotiating technology categories such as hardware, enterprise software, SaaS, cloud services, maintenance, VAR services, and IT professional services
- Strong understanding of commercial terms, contract structures, software licensing models, renewal mechanics, service levels, warranties, and supplier risk considerations
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional sourcing projects, manage competing priorities, and influence stakeholders at multiple levels
- Strong analytical skills with experience in spend analysis, pricing analysis, benchmarking, TCO modeling, savings tracking, and supplier performance reporting
- Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills
- Working knowledge of procurement systems, contract management tools, ERP platforms, and sourcing technologies such as Coupa, SAP Ariba, Oracle, ServiceNow, or similar tools
Preferred Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (JD) or Equivalent, Master's degree, MBA, or advanced certification in supply chain, business, technology, law, or a related discipline preferred
- AI certification or demonstrated training in artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, or emerging technology applications in sourcing, procurement, contract review, supplier management, or spend optimization
- Professional procurement or supply chain certification such as CPSM, CSCP, CPM, CIPS, or equivalent
- Experience negotiating complex SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, enterprise software, hardware, value-added reseller, marketplace, and technology services agreements
- Familiarity with AI-enabled sourcing tools, contract analytics, supplier risk platforms, license optimization tools, and technology spend management solutions
- Experience supporting digital transformation, IT category strategy, supplier consolidation, technology roadmap planning, and enterprise-wide cost optimization initiatives
Daikin Applied offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Multiple medical insurance plan options + dental and vision insurance
- 401K retirement plan with employer match
- Paid time off and company paid holidays
- Paid sick time in accordance with the federal, state and local law
- Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service
The typical pay rate for the position ranges from $80,400 - 136,800 + 10% bonus in Minnesota. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade which this position(s) fall. Individual pay rate will depend on a wide range of factors including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
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