IT Procurement Category Lead

SEI
parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, Pennsylvania, Oaks
1 Freedom Valley Drive (Show on map)
Mar 29, 2025
SEI is seeking a dynamic and experienced senior level procurement leader to join our organization as an IT Procurement Category Lead. You will drive IT negotiations and lead enterprise IT sourcing best practices across the Company. This position is a vital role contributing to the success of the Global Centralized Procurement Organization. As the Procurement Category Lead for IT, you will be an integral part of the development and execution of the full lifecycle of the procurement process, ensuring that all goods and services are acquired at the best possible price, service levels, and quality. You will work closely with various departments to understand their IT needs and develop best in class procurement strategies that align with the company's financial goals. Your role will also involve significant pricing negotiations, complex IT contract development, management of key IT supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and policies. The successful candidate will have excellent leadership, extensive IT market knowledge, direct IT negotiation experience, and refined communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire the procurement team to achieve outstanding results. You will be expected to stay up to date with IT and procurement industry trends and continuously seek opportunities to improve the overall procurement process. This role will report to the Head of Centralized Procurement and lead the IT procurement category as well as function as the lead IT negotiator for complex enterprise software and hardware deals. What you will do: Negotiate technology contracts (Hardware, Software, and Services) and complex deals with sellers to promote maximum cost-savings in the sourcing and supply chain management system. Focused negotiation on enterprise-wide agreements for complex IT engagements. Devise and execute procurement and contracting strategies that benefit the business in the best way and ensure achievement of financial goals and objectives. Function as the procurement business partner to various departments and guide them with Information technology acquisition strategy, e-procurement best practices, and supplier rationalization. Ensure compliance with applicable legal frameworks and regulations. Conduct and assess detailed supplier evaluations, determine supplier viability, and manage supplier relationship which include commercial, contract, and operational performance. Implement comprehensive performance management processes, metrics, and measurement dashboards to ensure supplier and contract performance. Monitor and analyze market trends and stay up to date with industry trends and best practices. Develop, audit, and maintain procurement policies and procedures that embrace and fully utilize e-procurement processes and tools. Collaborate with other departments to understand their needs and continuously seek opportunities to improve the procurement process. Identify and mitigate risks in the procurement process while ensuring timely delivery of goods and services. Ensure that the procurement team fully meets performance targets. Function as a thought leader and subject matter expert for technology suppliers to maximize value, drive efficiencies and create value through strategic partnerships. Lead supplier negotiations and various value creation activities to fully maximize SEI's annual technology spend. What we need from you: Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related information technology degree coupled with procurement experience preferred. Strong communication, reporting, presentation, and analytical skills for clear articulation of procurement processes, policies, and acquisition strategies across various levels of the organization. Must be well versed in supplier engagements and global supplier management. Minimum of 5- 10 years of experience in procurement, information technology, or supply chain management preferred. Demonstrated IT negotiation experience across complex enterprise agreements especially with large global software providers. Proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams or procurement strategies within a traditional procurement function focused on IT category management. Strong negotiation and contract origination skills in the technology spend categories with an emphasis of applying current market trends and pricing to enterprise deals. Excellent leadership skills and strong demonstrated experience in supplier performance management. Deep knowledge of applying and monitoring IT key performance indicators (KPIs). Knowledge of procurement software and tools, especially e-procurement tools and processes, requisition management, Purchase Order workflow and a high degree of acumen for the Source to Pay process. Knowledge of Oracle e-procurement systems preferred. Ability to work independently while employing integrity and sound business decisions to solve problems and implement solutions. Experience in budget and financial management. High degree of acumen for development of pricing comparison documents and multiyear IT cost modeling. Deep understanding of IT software licensing and current IT hardware acquisition trends. Someone who will embody our SEI Values of courage, integrity, collaboration, inclusion, connection and fun. Please see our website for more information. https://www.seic.com/ SEI's competitive advantage: To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive care for your physical and mental well-being, a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, a hybrid working environment for most roles, support for working parents and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about. Benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription, wellness, EAP, FSA), life and disability insurance (premiums paid for base coverage), 401(k) match, education assistance, commuter benefits, up to 11 paid holidays/year, 21 days PTO/year pro-rated for new hires which increases over time, paid parental leave, back-up childcare arrangements, paid volunteer days, a discounted stock purchase plan, investment options, access to thriving employee networks and more. We are a technology and asset management company delivering on our promise of building brave futures (SM)-for our clients, our communities, and ourselves. Come build your brave future at SEI. SEI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and so much more... After over 50 years in business, SEI remains a leading global provider of investment processing, investment management, and investment operations solutions. Reflecting our experience within financial services and financial technology our offices encompass an open floor plan and numerous art installations designed to encourage innovation and creativity in our workforce. We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset and that a healthy, happy, and motivated workforce is key to our continued growth. At SEI, we're (literally) invested in your success. We offer our employees paid parental leave, back-up childcare arrangements, paid volunteer days, education assistance and access to thriving employee networks. SEI is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.