Director - Procurement

Job Description – Director, Procurement (IT & Software)  Location: Hyderabad  Function: Corporate Procurement  Reports To: Managing Director & General Manager  About the Role  We are seeking a highly experienced Director – Procurement (IT & Software) to lead our global procurement function, focused on IT spend categories. The role is pivotal in driving strategic sourcing, vendor management, cost optimization , and ensuring compliance across all procurement activities.  This individual will be responsible for managing a significant spend portfolio (USD 30–40 million annually), particularly across software buying, licensing, cloud services, and IT infrastructure sourcing , while building and nurturing high-trust supplier relationships and internal partnerships.  The ideal candidate will bring strong commercial acumen, negotiation excellence, and a deep understanding of software procurement in a product company or Global Capability Center (GCC) setup.  Key Responsibilities  Strategic Procurement Leadership  Lead end-to-end commercial, strategic sourcing, and procurement processes across all IT categories – including Hardware, Software, Cloud, SaaS, Outsourced Services, and Infrastructure .  Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with business priorities, ensuring cost savings, efficiency, and risk mitigation .  Own the Procure-to-Contract (P2C) lifecycle and ensure adherence to corporate sourcing policies, compliance frameworks, and audit requirements.  Manage and optimize the software licensing lifecycle , ensuring compliance, renewals, and cost optimization across enterprise agreements.  Commercial & Contract Management  Lead RFP/RFQ processes , vendor evaluations, contract negotiations, and deal structuring.  Draft and review detailed Statements of Work (SOWs) , defining performance measures (KPIs, SLAs), risk/reward mechanisms, acceptance criteria, and commercial terms. ● Advise business and technical stakeholders on engagement models such as Managed Services, Managed Capacity, Gain-share, and Outcome-based models . ● Ensure contracts are commercially sound, risk-balanced, and deliver measurable value.  Vendor & Stakeholder Management  Build and maintain strong relationships with key software and technology suppliers , ensuring performance excellence and innovation in delivery.  Engage closely with internal business partners (Finance, Legal, IT, and Product teams) to understand requirements and translate them into effective sourcing outcomes. ● Lead cross-functional negotiations and drive strategic alignment between business goals and vendor capabilities. Conduct periodic supplier performance reviews, market benchmarking, and spend analytics to ensure continuous improvement.  Financial Management & Reporting  Manage annual IT procurement budgets of $30–40 million , ensuring cost-effectiveness, transparency, and measurable savings.  Implement cost optimization initiatives through vendor consolidation, volume leverage, and commercial re-engineering .  Track and report procurement KPIs, savings, and financial impact to senior leadership. ● Continuously identify and deliver year-on-year savings and operational efficiencies through strategic sourcing initiatives.  Governance, Risk & Compliance  Ensure strict adherence to global procurement standards, audit requirements, and ethical practices.  Lead Supplier Risk Assessments and ensure compliance with supplier screening, due diligence, and data security requirements .  Champion a culture of integrity, transparency, and compliance across all procurement processes.  Qualifications & Experience  12–15 years of overall experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, or Vendor Management.  At least 8–10 years of specialized experience in IT and Software Procurement , including Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) and SaaS licensing .  Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar IT budgets and delivering measurable cost savings .  Deep understanding of category cost structures , procurement tools, and negotiation frameworks.  Proficiency with e-procurement and sourcing tools (e.g., Ariba, Ivalua, PeopleSoft, or equivalent).  Strong knowledge of end-to-end Source-to-Pay (S2P) processes and related compliance frameworks.  Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management , and contracting skills , with the ability to influence senior executives.  Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills , with proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint .  Engineering or Business Graduate (MBA preferred).  Ideal Candidate Profile  Proven track record in software buying, enterprise licensing, and vendor negotiations .  Experience in product-based software organizations or Global Capability Centers (GCCs) .  High ethical standards, integrity, and strong governance mindset.  Tenacious, resilient, and collaborative leader who can thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth SaaS environment . Excellent at managing ambiguity and driving business outcomes with minimal supervision.  Target Backgrounds  IT / Software Product Companies  Banking / Financial Technology (FinTech)  BPO / Consulting / Shared Services / GCCs