Job Description

At our tech hub in Prague, we are looking for a Senior Specialist in IT Procurement. This position will be part of the Technology Sourcing team covering EMEA + Canada regions and will collaborate extensively with colleagues and key leaders in the IT department to develop relationships with key strategic suppliers that align with business strategies and sourcing execution. The Senior Specialist in IT Procurement is responsible for implementing technology sourcing initiatives to achieve cost savings and efficiency for our organization and internal business systems. Technology procurement categories are Software, IT Professional Service, Hardware, Technology, and Infrastructure. The individual will be a direct partner to Global IT stakeholders and report to the Associate Director, Technology Procurement. 

The Senior Specialist is responsible for driving contract negotiations to ensure that the goals of internal senior stakeholders are achieved and maintained. You will also work to support procurement processes and policies while maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers. This individual is expected to lead the execution of procurement agreements through a consistent sourcing process to deliver significant results. The role requires strong project management skills and a demonstrated ability to proactively manage negotiations to successful completion. 

Responsibilities

Providing Sourcing support for our Technology Procurement team with responsibilities that include IT contract negotiation, pricing analysis, contract review and contract administration

Interfacing with internal IT stakeholders to support contract negotiations 

Supporting vendor management efforts for commercial, service and/or quality issues 

Coordinate our RFP process for strategic sourcing requests by utilizing e-Sourcing tools 

Negotiate IT contracts and fully capture our IT business requirements 

Record and track savings and progress of projects for all IT projects in Procurement’s Savings Database 

Execute sourcing plans that reach out and include all possible and relevant Diverse Suppliers in the US and globally

Primary activities

Leadership - As a key member of a category of spend, he/she will be responsible for the development and implementation of the sourcing strategy, ensuring alignment, compliance, and delivery of required business performance.

Process - Realize sourcing management, supplier value management, contract management, risk management and supplier diversity as core sustainable processes and enablers of delivery

Performance - Drive competitive sourcing RFx events (RFQs, RFIs, RFPs) and support vendor selection, contract negotiation including participating in the governance process for the renewal of legacy IT products

Relationships - Build outstanding relationships with stakeholders which are tailored to meeting their business needs

Change Management - Adopt high quality change practices with customers and stakeholders

Global - Ensure our Company’s global procurement strategy, global category management and ways of working are adopted globally

Diversity - Actively support diversity, both within our Company and externally, growing relationships and spend with our Diverse Suppliers

Supplier Value Management - Implement supplier value management with the key suppliers in this category to foster innovation, manage supplier performance, establish a Governance Model, and ensure continuous improvement

Qualifications 

Undergraduate degree (related technical field such as IT, Finance, Accounting, Business or similar preferred) 

5+ years of work experience in relevant areas of IT and/or IT Purchasing preferred 

Knowledge of Software as a Service model (desired) 

Experience in Technology Procurement (preferred) 

Experience with the negotiation of commercial and legal contract terms and conditions 

Experience supporting Procurement processes and Supplier management 

Experience in conducting financial analysis 

Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel and PowerPoint 

Experience with Ariba and/or SAP preferred 

Experience with IT project management and software implementation projects (desired) 

Strong customer service mindset 

Ability to bring creativity and innovation to problem solving 

Ability to work self-directed in a fast-paced global matrixed environment 

Excellent written/verbal communication skills 

Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and support multiple concurrent projects 

Cultural awareness and the ability to work with international teams, often remotely 

A proven track record in stakeholder engagement and collaboration 

Strong proficiency in English and preferred additional languages are German, Spanish or any other EU languages 

What we offer 

Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment 

Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally 

Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern 

Pension and health insurance contributions 

Internal reward system plus referral programme 

5 weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40 paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution 

Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, Lítačka, sport, culture, health, travel, etc.), Multisport Card 

Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and Mall.cz discount programmes 

Up-to-date laptop and iPhone 

Parking in the garage, showers, refreshments, massage chairs, library, music corner 

Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more

Ready to take up the challenge? Apply now! 
Know anybody who might be interested? Refer this job! 

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

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Requisition ID:R319091