Commodity Lead - IT Software/Services

About the Role

The Commodity Procurement Lead IT Software/Services serves as a strategic procurement leader for Procurement Shared Services, overseeing the sourcing, contracting, and acquisition of designated commodity categories related to IT Software and Services for participating universities. This position directs and supervises procurement staff, develops procurement strategies and policies, ensures compliance with federal, state, and PASSHE regulations, and leads strategic sourcing initiatives to achieve cost savings, operational efficiency, and value-driven purchasing outcomes.

The role is responsible for managing complex procurement activities, supplier negotiations, contract administration and negotiation, working with PASSHE legal counsel, and stakeholder support while ensuring effective, compliant, and customer-focused procurement services. This position is remote but occasional travel to System headquarters in Harrisburg or other locations for meetings may be required. Pennsylvania residency is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sourcing, contracting, and acquisition of IT software and services for participating universities.
• Direct and supervise procurement staff, developing procurement strategies and policies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and PASSHE regulations.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to achieve cost savings and operational efficiency.
• Manage complex procurement activities, supplier negotiations, and contract administration.
• Collaborate with PASSHE legal counsel and stakeholders to ensure compliant and customer-focused procurement services.
• Procure SaaS, software licenses, and cloud-based services, including perpetual, subscription, and enterprise agreements.
• Evaluate software requirements and contract risk in partnership with IT, information security, legal, privacy, finance, and end users.
• Manage a portfolio of software renewals, expirations, and escalations to prevent service lapses and auto-renewal risk.
• Oversee RFPs for software and technology services, including requirements gathering, evaluation criteria, demos, scoring, and negotiations.
• Understand contract language for software implementations, hosting, support, SLAs, uptime, penalties, and data return/destruction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.
• Minimum three years’ experience in procurement.
• Demonstrated history of supervisory experience.
• Experience with integrated ERP systems.
• Proficiency in software including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Dropbox.
• Strong management skills, including directing tasks, project assignments, planning, organization, problem-solving, and communication.
• Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education setting.
• SAP experience and C.P.M. or CPPB certification.
• Knowledge of centralized purchasing procedures and public procurement guidelines (Commonwealth, PASSHE).
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Working knowledge of software licensing models, maintenance/support renewals, true-up processes, and vendor audit provisions.
• Familiarity with IT terms and risk areas such as data privacy, cybersecurity, indemnification, service levels, accessibility, data ownership, and exit/transition support.
• Experience with software procurement approval workflows, including business case review, total cost of ownership, and budget alignment.