Procurement Specialist, Technology

What You'll Do

• Manage technology spend categories such as software, SaaS, hardware, telecom, networking, infrastructure, cloud, labor, and managed services suppliers.
• Create and manage category strategies, negotiations, RFPs, and contracts.
• Create, negotiate, implement, and manage long term contracts while effectively developing and promoting strategic partnerships with suppliers.
• Closely work with internal Morningstar clients and stakeholders to understand their business needs, objectives, product/service requirements, and the broader operational processes.
• Effectively communicate with appropriate management levels both internally and externally.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and make constructive suggestions for change.
• Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including sourcing, procurement, negotiations, contract management, and supplier performance evaluation.
• Develop, implement, and track comprehensive category strategies grounded in deep market analysis and aligned with company and stakeholder priorities; deliver measurable year-over-year cost reductions and working capital improvements.
• Conduct supplier spend, forecasting, and consumption analytics in partnership with Finance to identify sourcing optimization opportunities, contract consolidation opportunities, and measurable cost savings initiatives.
• Research and interpret the technology marketplace to understand supplier and market characteristics, identify sourcing trends, and uncover new opportunities for value creation.
• Lead Quarterly Business Reviews focused on SLAs to drive supplier accountability, proactively identify improvement opportunities, and monitor progress throughout the contractual period.
• Manage supplier performance by addressing conflict resolution, escalation, and resolution procedures promptly and effectively, ensuring issues are resolved and continuous improvement is maintained.
• Partner with Legal and Sourcing/Procurement teams throughout the supplier lifecycle to ensure robust contract operations and governance.
• Build strong partnerships and engagement with both existing and new strategic suppliers to enable high-quality, efficient support for internal stakeholders and business units.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost savings across all sourcing activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• 3+ years related work experience in Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or another related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Business Management, Finance, Accounting, or another related field
• 5+ years related work experience in Technology Procurement, Technology role, or another related field
• Knowledge of Source to Pay systems, such as Coupa
• Strong project management and procurement workflow management skills across Source-to-Pay platforms such as ServiceNow and Coupa
• Supplier Risk Analysis and Supplier Relationship Management Skills
• Licenses & Certifications: Skilled in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• A potential team leader with strong communication skills
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills
• Self-directed and resourceful with the ability to handle multiple, simultaneous tasks with exhibited follow through and initiative
• Strong business and financial acumen, including project management, total cost management, budgeting, forecasting, savings realization, and supplier financial analysis
• Experience leveraging reporting and analytical tools to support forecasting, procurement operations, supplier performance management, and continuous process improvement
• Previous experience with Source to Pay systems, such as Coupa
• Advanced Excel skills, including spend analysis, forecasting, budgeting support, savings tracking, and supplier financial analysis
• High ethical standard