Strategic Sourcing Manager I - Digital

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025! Daikin Applied is hiring a Strategic Sourcing Manager to develop and execute sourcing strategies across enterprise technology spend, partnering with IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business stakeholders.

About the role

This position is responsible for strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, and contract negotiation for IT hardware, software, SaaS, cloud-related tools, value-added reseller relationships, and technology services. The role focuses on optimizing total cost of ownership, reducing supplier risk, improving commercial outcomes, and aligning sourcing strategies with technology roadmaps and business priorities.

Location: Remote, MN

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for hardware, software, SaaS, maintenance, renewals, cloud marketplaces, VARs, and related technology services
• Lead RFx events, bid evaluations, supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and award recommendations for technology sourcing initiatives
• Negotiate pricing, discounts, enterprise license terms, service levels, renewal protections, implementation terms, warranties, support commitments, and risk allocation provisions
• Partner with IT, Legal, Finance, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Architecture, and business owners to align sourcing activity with technical requirements, budget goals, risk posture, and business timelines
• Manage supplier relationships, performance reviews, QBRs, scorecards, escalation resolution, and continuous improvement opportunities with strategic technology suppliers
• Analyze spend, usage, license entitlements, renewal pipelines, supplier consolidation opportunities, and total cost of ownership to identify savings and cost avoidance opportunities
• Support contract lifecycle activities, including renewals, amendments, statements of work, order forms, master agreements, and catalog enablement
• Monitor market trends, pricing benchmarks, supplier roadmaps, technology lifecycle changes, and supply chain constraints affecting hardware and software categories
• Drive compliance with procurement policies, approval workflows, cybersecurity requirements, data privacy standards, legal terms, and ethical sourcing expectations
• Prepare executive-ready sourcing recommendations, negotiation summaries, savings reports, supplier risk assessments, and category performance updates

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, or technology contracting
• Experience sourcing and negotiating technology categories such as hardware, enterprise software, SaaS, cloud services, maintenance, VAR services, and IT professional services
• Strong understanding of commercial terms, contract structures, software licensing models, renewal mechanics, service levels, warranties, and supplier risk considerations
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional sourcing projects, manage competing priorities, and influence stakeholders at multiple levels
• Strong analytical skills with experience in spend analysis, pricing analysis, benchmarking, TCO modeling, savings tracking, and supplier performance reporting
• Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills
• Working knowledge of procurement systems, contract management tools, ERP platforms, and sourcing technologies such as Coupa, SAP Ariba, Oracle, ServiceNow, or similar tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent, Master’s degree, MBA, or advanced certification in supply chain, business, technology, law, or a related discipline
• AI certification or demonstrated training in artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, or emerging technology applications in sourcing, procurement, contract review, supplier management, or spend optimization
• Professional procurement or supply chain certification such as CPSM, CSCP, CPM, CIPS, or equivalent
• Experience negotiating complex SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, enterprise software, hardware, value-added reseller, marketplace, and technology services agreements
• Familiarity with AI-enabled sourcing tools, contract analytics, supplier risk platforms, license optimization tools, and technology spend management solutions
• Experience supporting digital transformation, IT category strategy, supplier consolidation, technology roadmap planning, and enterprise-wide cost optimization initiatives

Benefits

• Multiple medical insurance plan options + dental and vision insurance
• 401K retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and company paid holidays
• Paid sick time in accordance with federal, state, and local law
• Tuition reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service

Pay

The typical pay range for this position is $80,400 - $136,800 plus a 10% bonus in Minnesota. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade. Individual pay rate will depend on skills, qualifications, experience, and location.