Strategic Sourcing Lead

Apex Fintech Solutions•Chicago, IL

1d•$99,000 - $123,750•Hybrid

About The Position

Apex Fintech Solutions (Apex) is seeking a Sourcing Category Manager to manage the technology category within their Procurement organization. This role is responsible for managing vendor relationships and contract negotiations for SaaS, infrastructure, and IT operations. The position involves building partnerships with technology leaders, identifying savings opportunities, driving timely contract renewals, establishing vendor management KPIs, and making data-driven recommendations for technology investments. The role operates within a team that utilizes AI-powered tools and modern procurement technology.

Requirements

Manage the technology category within Procurement
Manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations for SaaS, infrastructure, and IT operations
Build partnerships with technology leaders
Identify savings opportunities
Drive 90-day advance renewal engagement
Establish vendor management KPIs
Make data-driven recommendations for technology investments
Work with AI-powered tools and modern procurement technology
Own the technology category end-to-end — Software/SaaS, Hardware/Equipment, and IT-related professional services
Lead competitive sourcing events, contract negotiations, and renewals
Develop and execute category strategies that align vendor spend with Apex's technology roadmap
Leverage benchmarking tools and market intelligence to validate pricing and identify cost optimization opportunities
Drive 90-day advance engagement on technology renewals — assess business need, validate usage, model alternatives, and prepare negotiation strategies before contracts auto-renew
Manage a pipeline of technology renewals, prioritizing strategic and high-value contracts
Identify rightsizing opportunities as business needs evolve, particularly during periods of organizational change
Build trusted advisory relationships with Apex's technology leadership
Lead biweekly category review meetings for Software and Market Data; monthly for other technology subcategories
Establish and run Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with Apex's top technology vendors
Partner with InfoSec, FP&A, and Legal stakeholders throughout the sourcing and contracting lifecycle
Contribute to the development of procurement KPIs, savings methodologies, and reporting cadences
Use procurement data to tell the story of value delivered — cost savings, cost avoidance, improved terms, and risk reduction
Embrace AI-powered tools and agents as part of daily workflow — research, benchmarking, renewal prep, and vendor intelligence

Nice To Haves

Experience with AI-powered tools and modern procurement technology

Responsibilities

Own the technology category end-to-end — Software/SaaS, Hardware/Equipment, and IT-related professional services
Lead competitive sourcing events, contract negotiations, and renewals
Develop and execute category strategies that align vendor spend with Apex's technology roadmap
Leverage benchmarking tools and market intelligence to validate pricing and identify cost optimization opportunities
Drive 90-day advance engagement on technology renewals — assess business need, validate usage, model alternatives, and prepare negotiation strategies before contracts auto-renew
Manage a pipeline of technology renewals, prioritizing strategic and high-value contracts
Identify rightsizing opportunities as business needs evolve, particularly during periods of organizational change
Build trusted advisory relationships with Apex's technology leadership
Lead biweekly category review meetings for Software and Market Data; monthly for other technology subcategories
Establish and run Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with Apex's top technology vendors
Partner with InfoSec, FP&A, and Legal stakeholders throughout the sourcing and contracting lifecycle
Contribute to the development of procurement KPIs, savings methodologies, and reporting cadences
Use procurement data to tell the story of value delivered — cost savings, cost avoidance, improved terms, and risk reduction
Embrace AI-powered tools and agents as part of daily workflow — research, benchmarking, renewal prep, and vendor intelligence