Vendor Management Specialist - IT Negotiator

Caterpillar Inc.•Irving, TX

1d•$128,470 - $192,710•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves working with Caterpillar’s Information Technology (IT) leaders and teams on their third-party IT business and technical requirements, including Professional Services, SaaS, Software, Cloud, Hardware, and Telecommunications. The specialist will lead deals of varying complexity, seeking support from a manager as necessary. The primary responsibility is to negotiate directly with Caterpillar’s technology suppliers to minimize risk and maximize value for the acquisition of IT goods and services. This role also provides thought leadership and sourcing subject matter expertise to internal IT/Business customers and matrix partners.

Requirements

Ability to simultaneously lead multiple initiatives while consistently meeting timelines and milestones.
Ability to accurately interpret complex contract language and summarize historical contracts.
Knowledge of business principles such as, demand management, project management, commercial contracting, technology licensing, and negotiation principles.
Understanding of cost and price analysis techniques.
Understanding of the unique aspects of technology sourcing as compared to other categories.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Fluent in the English language.
Well-developed collaboration skills communicating across the organization and reaching consensus on specific actions.
Functional leadership. Capable of leading teams, suppliers, and customers to effective solutions.
Analytical, problem solving, and project leadership skill.
Strong Negotiator, able to interpret, analyze and negotiate commercial terms.
Bachelor’s degree or more than 5 years’ equivalent experience in an area of study relevant to this position.
Extensive experience with IT sourcing (negotiations).

Responsibilities

Create detailed negotiation strategies, including points of leverage, identification of all deal variables, and development of appropriate counteroffers.
Work with 3rd party advisory firms to enhance Caterpillar’s market intelligence and negotiation strategies.
Advise internal customers on the negotiation plan and gain alignment on strategy, timing, and process steps.
Work with IT teams on supplier RFx requirements, participate on teams working with or evaluating supplier technologies, and partner with IT category procurement and supporting organizations.
Act as a category subject matter expert to the organization across multiple functions, divisions, and geographic locations.
Engage with internal customers and suppliers to support resolution of varying complexity disputes, and other matters requiring a balance of assertiveness, tact, business acumen, and diplomacy.
Partner with finance to analyze deal financials and impact to annual budget processes.
Achieve annual savings targets and other performance metrics as assigned.
Partner with internal matrix partners such as finance, procurement, legal, etc. on negotiations and continuous process improvement.
Establish a forward-looking demand for contract renewals and net new initiatives.
Develop and administer frequent communications and discussions to maintain awareness and monitor progress for such demand.
Direct negotiations and interaction with the supplier representatives.
Develop and administer a supplier playbook.
Deliver presentations and communications to IT service owners, Vice Presidents, and Senior Vice Presidents.
Draft talking points for executive level supplier discussions.
Support, participate in, or lead liaison roles with IT service owners and teams helping collaborate with procurement requests and contract completion targets as part of the service owner business needs.
Conduct Supplier spend analysis on a regular basis to identify opportunities across our suppliers and organization.
Work within the identified Contract lifecycle management tool to ensure our forecast is accurately reflected and that our contract document safe source is regularly reviewed and updated.