Job Requirements

Sweetwater, the nation's number one online retailer of music instruments and pro audio gear, is seeking a meticulous and experienced Strategic Buyer to join our growing Procurement team! The ideal candidate will have a track record of managing complex service level agreements (SLAs), negotiating contracts, and ensuring cost-effective procurement practices. They will have a profound understanding of software as a service (SaaS) ecosystems, strategic sourcing, negotiation, and management of SaaS contracts to support our company's IT infrastructure and business applications.

Job Responsibilities

Develops and executes sourcing strategies for SaaS solutions that align with the company's technology roadmap and business objectives.Identify potential SaaS providers, evaluate their offerings, and select vendors that meet our strategic needs.Lead negotiations for SaaS contracts, ensuring optimal terms that cover pricing, licensing, compliance, data security, and exit strategies.Expertise in negotiating complex terms including but not limited to usage-based pricing, seat-based pricing, and enterprise-level agreements.Oversee the creation, negotiation, and enforcement of SLAs with SaaS providers to ensure performance, uptime, support, and other critical metrics are met.Regularly review SLA adherence and mediate any issues related to service delivery.Analyze spending patterns and negotiate contracts to achieve cost savings without compromising on service quality.Manage budget allocations for SaaS expenses, ensuring fiscal responsibility.Maintain and develop relationships with key SaaS vendors to foster collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth.Conduct vendor performance reviews and manage contract renewals or terminations as necessary.Assess risks associated with SaaS engagements, including security, compliance, and business continuity, and incorporate risk mitigation strategies into contracts.Work closely with IT, Legal, Finance, and other departments to ensure solutions meet business requirements and corporate policies.Present negotiation outcomes and strategies to senior management for approval

Qualifications

Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of liaising with senior executives and external partners.Proficient in contract law, especially as it pertains to IT and SaaS agreements.Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.Strong negotiation skills with a strategic approach to contract management.Deep understanding of SaaS models, including pricing structures, contract terms, and service delivery frameworks.Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred.3+ years of experience in procurement, with a focus on IT and SaaS purchasing.Certifications in procurement (e.g., CPSM, CPP) or related IT certifications are advantageous.

Sweetwater \"Ideal\" Team-Player 

WOWs The Customer - Deep passion and desire for creating amazing customer & colleague experiences Gets Things Done - Great work ethic and moves with a sense of urgency Obsesses over the Details – Committed to paying attention to the details Drives Continuous Improvement – Always focusing on effective and efficient work and way to get better Develops the Future – Committed to pursuit of growing personally & professionally and has a focus on bringing your colleagues along with you on that journey 

  

We function best as a unified team, so relocation to our state-of-the-art campus in Fort Wayne, IN is required. Interested and qualified candidates, please apply. We look forward to exploring your #FullTimeDream with Sweetwater! 

Sweetwater’s culture is built upon celebrating the creative creation of music, which unifies people from all walks of life. Our individual differences make Sweetwater stronger as a company and a better place to work as we respect, learn, and grow from each team member’s unique perspective and experience. We have welcomed thousands of employees and their families from all over the world, and we invite you to discover why we consider a career at Sweetwater the full-time dream.