Strategic Sourcing Manager

You will be part of a Global Procurement Team, working cross-functionally company-wide with IT, Engineering, Product Management, Sales, Security, Finance, Legal, Marketing, and other Supply Chain/Procurement teams.

We are seeking an innovative applicant with software, SaaS and Cloud sourcing/procurement and negotiation experience. You are the relationship owner between Cisco and some of our strategic suppliers. You will manage a segment of technology suppliers and stakeholders by supporting the end-to-end procurement process, including RFX, supplier onboarding, supplier risk assessments, contract negotiation, PO/PR review and approval, payment verification, and ongoing contract/license compliance.

You will work closely with requestors and team members to negotiate commercial and contractual terms and conditions, SLAs (Availability, Performance, Downtime, etc.) in strategic software/SaaS agreements that are used globally across various Cisco functions and businesses. You will help develop and maintain strategies that include category elements of market/industry trends, benchmarking, spend analysis, preferred supplier categorization, supplier performance, and optimization.

In addition to these sourcing activities, you will also get the opportunity to support critical initiatives and transformation projects in relation to software savings, multi-year strategies/roadmaps, process improvement, business transformation, and acquisition integration.

• 7+ years validated experience with technology related sourcing/procurement in the areas of Software, SaaS, Cloud, Data Center, Telecom, or other related categories.
• Understanding of Technology market trends within the Software and Cloud arena.
• Understanding of the End-to-End Procurement process and sourcing fundamentals.
• Familiarity with software license agreements/contracts and contract compliance
• Ability to demonstrate core foundational skills in the following areas: Cost accounting, data management, presentation, and effective communications
• Experience with procurement-related tools (e.g., Ariba)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Software Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or Law; Master's degree preferred
• Project management/multi-discipline experience preferred
• Generative AI tools experience a plus

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Our passion is connection-we celebrate our employees' diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer-80 hours each year-allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!