IT Services Lead Sourcing & Procurement

Summary: The Assistant Director of Sourcing & Procurement, specifically as IT Services Category Lead, is a key role responsible for overseeing critical sourcing and procurement activities related to all core IT services initiatives, including ITO, at Northwestern Mutual. This high-performing individual will play a critical role in developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives, optimizing costs, and ensuring the organization's technology needs are met efficiently. This position requires a proactive, detail-oriented, and results-driven professional who can effectively manage procurement operations and build strong relationships with technology suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

Category Strategy:  Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for IT services, managed IT services and and ensure alignment with the organization's objectives. Conduct market research, analyze industry trends, and identify potential suppliers to ensure a robust supply chain is avaialble for on, near and offshore labor.

Sourcing Strategy:  Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies aligned with the organization's technology objectives. Identify potential suppliers, evaluate their capabilities, negotiate contracts, and establish long-term partnerships to ensure the availability of quality products and services. Collaborate with IT and Finance leadership to define appropriate sourcing models that balance cost, risk, and service quality.

Supplier Relationship Management:  Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key technology suppliers. Collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation, conduct performance evaluations, resolve issues, and negotiate contracts to ensure the best value for the organization.

Cost Optimization:  Continuously identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements. Conduct market research, benchmarking, and analysis to identify cost drivers, negotiate favorable pricing and terms, and implement strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize spend across technology categories.

Risk Management:  Assess and mitigate risks associated with technology procurement. Develop risk mitigation strategies for supplier dependencies, business continuity, and operational resilience.

Collaboration:  Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including IT, finance, legal, Tech VMO and other stakeholders, to align sourcing and procurement activities with organizational goals. Provide expertise and guidance on procurement best practices, market trends, and emerging technologies to support strategic decision-making. Be seen within the Enterprise as a bridge builder and key busines resource.

Team Leadership:  Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team dedicated to the IT services category. Candidate must be goal driven, provide coaching and support, and foster a collaborative work environment. Be seen as the go to on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in IT services sourcing and how to best manage NM's suppliers.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field. MBA or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CSCP, CPSM) are desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years of leadership in financial services industry with proven experience in sourcing and procurement within the IT service industry, preferably in a leadership role.
• Deep knowledge of IT services sourcing strategies, industry trends, and best practices.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills, with a track record of achieving cost savings and value creation.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using procurement systems and tools, as well as data analysis and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a focus on fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.