Software Commodity Manager

Responsibilities

• Own the commodity strategy for software spend across True Anomaly, including engineering tools, simulation and modeling software, PLM/PDM systems, SaaS business applications, cloud services, and cybersecurity platforms
• Lead sourcing events for new software acquisitions and renewals — defining requirements, issuing RFPs, evaluating proposals, and driving award decisions in partnership with technical stakeholders
• Build and maintain a software vendor catalog and license inventory, ensuring visibility into what is owned, deployed, and upcoming for renewal
• Identify opportunities to consolidate redundant tools, rationalize the software portfolio, and reduce total cost of ownership
• Serve as the primary commercial owner of software vendor relationships — managing day-to-day interactions, renewals, escalations, and strategic account conversations
• Negotiate software agreements including ELAs (Enterprise License Agreements), SaaS subscriptions, and professional services contracts — with a focus on favorable pricing, flexible true-up terms, data rights, and exit provisions
• Partner with legal to review and redline software contracts, with particular attention to data handling, IP ownership, export control, and security provisions relevant to a defense contractor
• Manage vendor performance and SLA compliance, escalating issues related to uptime, support responsiveness, or contractual breaches
• Ensure software procurement and usage complies with ITAR, export control, and cybersecurity requirements (e.g., CMMC) applicable to True Anomaly's programs
• Partner with engineering, IT, and program teams to understand software needs ahead of renewal cycles and new program starts — avoiding last-minute purchases and missed leverage windows
• Act as an internal advisor to stakeholders on software licensing models (per-seat, concurrent, token-based, ELA) to help teams make informed decisions about what to buy and how
• Resolve vendor issues — billing disputes, license overages, support escalations — quickly and without disruption to engineering operations

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of procurement or vendor management experience, with direct ownership of software or technology commodity sourcing
• Demonstrated experience negotiating software agreements with measurable commercial outcomes
• Deep understanding of software licensing models and the ability to identify risk, inefficiency, or missed leverage in existing agreements
• Experience managing a software vendor portfolio and license inventory across a complex, multi-team organization
• Ability to engage credibly with engineering and IT stakeholders on technical requirements and translate them into clear commercial terms
• Familiarity with software contract provisions including data rights, IP ownership, SLAs, and termination clauses
• Strong analytical skills

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience procuring engineering or defense-specific software (e.g., MATLAB, Ansys, Siemens NX, JIRA, CAD/CAM tools, simulation platforms)
• Familiarity with ITAR, export control, and CMMC compliance requirements as they apply to software procurement and data handling
• Background in aerospace, defense, or technology manufacturing environments
• Experience implementing or improving software asset management (SAM) programs
• Exposure to cloud procurement (AWS, Azure, GCP) and consumption-based commercial models