Schneider Electric - Manager - Software Purchasing Specialist

Manager-Software Purchasing Specialist

Brief Description :

- Manage the software procurement activities from Source to Award . Negotiate best pricing (ROI/TCO) for licensing / cloud (SaaS) / support agreements / maintenance in the software domain (including T&D software, embedded, software platform, cyber security )

- Work activities focus on software acquisitions and lifecycle management of software providers.

- Global IT&Telco Purchasing Liaison

- Acts as the liaison between Global IT&Telco Purchasing team and the Business / IT stakeholders/ Legal personnel / Finance

- Coordinates delivery, specifications, purchasing method recommendations, and other critical procurement activities

- Understand the Statements of Work and evaluation criteria as appropriate for the type of solicitation being developed (e.g., RFOs, RFPs, Pricing Requests, etc.)

- Analyzes and evaluates RFI /RFP responses to identify offers which provide the best value to the SE

- Recommends award of contracts; assists Legal and finance and manage final negotiation of contracts and software license agreements to ensure that SE obtains the most favorable price, product, terms and conditions;

- Maintains documentation such as the requisition, P.O., RFO, BAFO, final contract, any amendments, all specifications, receiving documentation, and invoices;

- Monitors contract payment activities by ensuring IT contract deliverables have been met prior to approving invoices for payment.

- Reviews and edits contracts prior to renewal or re-bid to draft any necessary changes; performs trend and cost analyses of renewals, rebids or contract amendment costs to previous years in order to negotiate most favorable pricing; and

- Maintain contractual document and manage annual renewals / re-bids and business review.

Software Request :

- Receives request for purchasing software from SE divisions (BUs, IPO) and evaluates the request

- Coordinates with the management team oIT Applications staff to determine if requested software is within SE IT software standards.

- Validates all software procurement requests are approved by requesting division management, Budget and Internal Accounting, and IT management.

- Coordinates with IT Security and Legal Division to determine whether new software requested is secure to load and the license agreement is satisfactory to the SE legal staff. Assists with the negotiation of Software License Agreements as required.

- Coordinates with Purchasing to purchase approved software and performs the software receiving process once the physical media or download key is delivered. Works with the IT Infrastructure staff to have the software loaded on the appropriate platform. Notifies the requestor of the receipt of the software and closes the Help Desk ticket.

- Coordinates with the IT Asset Management Coordinator to record new licensed software and the corresponding Software License Agreement into the IT Asset Management application.

Other Duties as Assigned :

Performs other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, providing backup support to the other IT & Telco Procurement request during absences or heavy work load time periods for the team.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements

Knowledge:

- IT procurement methods and procedures

- Procurement negotiation strategies

Skill :

- Managing work time efficiently in order to complete multiple assignments within designated time periods;

- Analyzing large amounts of financial data using Excel spreadsheets;

- Working with various vendors using effective written and verbal communication to convey information in a clear, concise manner (Communication); and

- Identifying and resolving problems by using strong analytical techniques, innovative approaches and taking initiative in preventing and solving problems (Problem Solving).

Ability :

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, professionals and management;

- Establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, SE staff, management and vendors to achieve common goals (Teamwork);

- Plan, organize, and prioritize multiple assignments to effectively manage a fast paced and changing work environment without compromising accuracy (Adaptability);

- Consistently meet internal and external customer needs and expectations in a professional manner (Customer Service); and

- Act in the best interest of the SE, maintain confidentiality and continually strive to improve self and job performance

Education :

- Graduation from an accredited four year college, university with a bachelor's degree and a Master preferably in Purchasing / IT .

Experience :

- 9 -12 years experience in procuring IT goods / services and with specific experience on the software domain (cloud, embedded ...), developing goods and services specifications, understand and challenge statements of Work (SOWs), and master contract negotiations.

- Management Team to develop standardized specifications for IT products to meet the SE's requirements and conducting periodic reviews to update specifications as necessary.