Procurement Category Manager - Technology/Software

Overview

Procurement Category Manager - Technology/Software

 

Quest is an award-winning IT management software provider offering a broad selection of solutions that solve some of the most common and most challenging IT problems. At Quest Software, we help organizations simplify IT management, enhance security, and maximize data potential. We are committed to fostering strong channel partnerships that drive business growth and deliver innovative solutions to our customers. 

 

The Procurement Category Manager - Technology/Software leads the development and execution of sourcing strategies for the organization’s technology spend, including hardware, software, cloud services, telecom, and IT professional services. This role partners closely with IT, Finance, Legal, and business units to drive value, optimize supplier relationships, and ensure alignment with enterprise technology and business strategies. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep experience in technology procurement, vendor management, and contract negotiation, capable of driving innovation and cost efficiency across the technology landscape.

 

 

This is a full-time, on-site position requiring in-office presence Monday through Friday at our Austin office-Domain area.

 

..................................Must reside in Austin, TX region......................................

 

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and implement multi-year sourcing strategies for the technology category (hardware, software, cloud, SaaS, and IT services).
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and internal demand to identify sourcing opportunities and innovation potential.
• Manage the end-to-end sourcing process, from supplier identification to RFP/RFQ development, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Maintain a deep understanding of technology supplier ecosystems and emerging technologies impacting spend.

 

Vendor & Contract Management

• Lead vendor evaluations and selection processes to ensure optimal value, quality, and risk mitigation.
• Partner with Legal and IT to structure complex technology contracts, including software license agreements, cloud subscriptions, and managed service arrangements.
• Oversee ongoing supplier performance, SLAs, renewals, and relationship governance to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement vendor management frameworks that promote accountability and partnership.

 

Financial & Risk Management

• Drive cost reduction, cost avoidance, and total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements across the technology spend portfolio.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain and cybersecurity risks within the technology supplier base.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, data protection standards, and regulatory requirements in all sourcing activities.

 

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with CIO, CISO, R&D,  and department heads to understand technology roadmaps and business requirements.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business and technology stakeholders on sourcing best practices and supplier innovation.
• Communicate category strategy progress, savings, and supplier performance metrics to executive leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, with at least 3 years focused on technology categories.
• Proven track record managing large-scale negotiations with major technology vendors (e.g., Microsoft, AWS, Google, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow).
• Experience implementing sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, innovation, and risk management.
• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, software licensing models, SaaS, and cloud computing.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical mindset with experience leveraging spend analytics and sourcing tools.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence without direct authority.

 

Company Overview

 

Quest Software builds the foundation for enterprise AI with solutions in data governance, cybersecurity, and platform modernization. More than 45,000 companies — including 90% of the Fortune 500 — trust Quest to solve their most critical IT challenges. From securing identities and modernizing platforms to preparing data for AI, we help enterprises unlock their full potential.

 

Why Quest

At Quest, your work makes an impact. You’ll hel