Strategic Sourcing and Contract Manager - Information Technology

This position provides sourcing & contracting direction and leadership in a high-volume, multi-state environment. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining strong partnerships with key internal stakeholders to define requirements for the procurement of critical hardware, services, equipment, and software. This position must compile critical RFPs, identify suppliers, and negotiate advantageous contractual terms for Loews Hotels. This position will work closely with various information technology & governance professionals to create and execute sourcing strategies and contracts. This position will act as a strategic partner who listens to and understands business needs, provides expertise in planning and implementing sourcing initiatives, and focuses on project timelines and deliverables to meet business goals and objectives.

By leveraging best practices and sound processes, this position will drive the sourcing, contract, and negotiation process with suppliers from the initial planning, research, RFP through bid analysis, negotiation of product quality, price, contract terms and execution of agreements that result in successful outcomes that support the needs of our corporate office and hotels. This position will monitor the supplier's continual performance of first-in-class services, timely delivery of products, out-of-stocks, and substitute items. This position will ensure that the supplier meets contract commitments and that our internal partners' needs are met.

The Strategic Sourcing Manager -Information & Technology will regularly interact with suppliers and stakeholders at the various levels of the organization to include, procurement, payment services, legal, information technology, IT security and compliance, risk management and finance team members. The Strategic Sourcing Manager-Information & Technology reports to the Assistant Director, Hotel Acquisition & Operating Analytics.

• Build/establish and maintain relationships with financial, operational, and IT internal stakeholders to ensure complete understanding and support of sourcing initiatives.

• Build and maintain supplier relationships; hold suppliers accountable for performance, quality and delivery of contractual commitments

• Conducts supplier quarterly performance reviews, bid evaluations, product contract reviews, and evaluation of products

• Proactively assess sourcing opportunities by gathering IT spend data, evaluating category purchasing patterns, economics, market conditions, and expiring contracts to make recommendations based on these findings

• Leverage e-Business tools such as RFP sourcing tools, spend analysis, supplier intelligence, competitive bidding, and contract management.
• Acquire and maintain a technical understanding of services/products sourced.
• Lead and execute the sourcing, negotiation, and pricing strategy for multiple supplier agreements simultaneously in a national, multi-location, and single-location environment.
• Preparation and creation of RFPs, identify and select all viable suppliers in accordance with Loews standards, evaluate and present vendor RFP responses to executive leadership, , conduct supplier negotiations, and provide business case recommendations
• Responsible for contract execution in coordination with Legal and project management through delivery of goods and services.
• Manages Information Technology (IT) service and supply contract terminations and renewals and ensures optimal contract terms and coverage.
• Establish sourcing strategies which include evaluating sourcing alternatives, identifying the sourcing approach, and establishing a project plan/timeline to deliver an effective sourcing solution
• Create detailed project plans, timelines, and critical date benchmarks to ensure the timely execution of business needs
• Reading, interpreting, understanding, and communicating technology contract terms.
• Identify, track and report annual savings achieved, spending compliance compared to budget, and present to Assistant Director, Hotel Acquisition & Operating Analytics & IT Leadership
• Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors
• Communicate status updates on all initiatives to the Asst. Director, Hotel Acquisition &Operating Analytics & IT Leadership, and promptly request help when needed to remove roadblocks
• Prepare and present PowerPoint presentations to leadership
• May be required to work varying schedules to reflect business needs

Qualifications

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation:

Required:

• 5+ years of relevant Technology sourcing/procurement experience, especially IT hardware and software.
• Strong analytical, business process analysis, and problem-solving capabilities
• Skilled with technology-based systems, including spend analytics and e-procurement tools
• Advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Exceptional written and verbal communication/interpersonal skills,
• Exceptional presentation communication skill
• Ability to interpret specifications and use sound judgment to make business decisions
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• High motivation and results-oriented work ethic
• Willingness to learn and understand sourcing best practices
• Supply chain knowledge
• Technical sourcing process knowledge
• Advanced knowledge of IT sourcing & procurement techniques, tools, practices, and principles
• Ability to conduct analyses required during a sourcing initiative
• Ability to build strong relationships with suppliers
• Ability to manage more than one initiative at once
• Strong attention to detail and process orientation
• Ability to perform analysis and interpret the results into actionable steps
• Comfortable with a constantly evolving environment
• Team player, self-starter, and quick learner with interpersonal and solution-oriented attitude and an ability to effectively operate with high energy and flexibility in a fast-paced cross-functional environment; able to prioritize tasks and projects accordingly.
• Keen analytic, organizational, and problem-solving skills that enable sound decision making
• Mid-Level Excel, PowerPoint & Word Skills
• Knowledge & Use of Smartsheet

Preferred:

• RFP Software Platform Experience