Senior Specialist, IT Procurement

Job Description

The Senior Specialist, Technology Procurement - Software is responsible for supporting and executing software sourcing and procurement activities within an assigned category of spend. This role provides end-to-end sourcing support for IT software initiatives, including contract negotiation support, pricing and financial analysis, supplier engagement, and compliance with global procurement strategies. The position partners closely with global IT and business stakeholders to deliver measurable business value, manage supplier performance, and ensure consistent adoption of procurement processes and ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

Category & Sourcing Execution

• Act as a key individual contributor within the software category, supporting the execution of sourcing strategies aligned with global procurement objectives, compliance requirements, and business performance goals.
• Provide sourcing support for the Software IT team, including contract negotiation support, pricing and financial analysis, contract administration, and competitive bidding activities.
• Support enterprise and strategic sourcing initiatives under category leadership guidance.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with global IT and business stakeholders, tailored to their business needs and aligned with global procurement strategy.
• Serve as a trusted procurement partner for assigned stakeholders by providing responsive, value-focused sourcing support.
• Collaborate effectively in a global, matrixed environment across regions and functions.

Global Procurement Alignment

• Support adoption of the company's global procurement strategy, global category management approach, and standard ways of working across regions.
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with global policies, processes, and governance requirements.

Supplier Value & Performance Management

• Support supplier value management activities with key suppliers in the software category, including performance tracking, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to supplier governance models and encourage supplier-led innovation aligned with business and technology needs.
• Support implementation of supplier performance reviews and improvement actions as required.

Responsible Sourcing

• Actively support inclusion objectives by growing relationships and spend with Suppliers where applicable.
• Promote responsible sourcing practices in alignment with company values and procurement standards.

Financial Tracking & Reporting

• Record, track, and report cost savings, value creation, and project progress for IT sourcing initiatives within Procurement's Savings Database.
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting to support audits, governance, and performance measurement.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Technology, Finance, or a related technical field.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in IT, IT procurement, sourcing, or vendor management.
• Experience supporting negotiation of commercial and legal contract terms and conditions.
• Experience supporting procurement processes and vendor management activities.
• Experience conducting financial and pricing analysis.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong customer service and stakeholder-focused mindset.
• Ability to bring creativity and innovation to problem solving.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, global, matrixed environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Cultural awareness and ability to work effectively with international teams, often remotely.
• Proven track record of stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of software procurement and software licensing models.
• Experience using Ariba and/or SAP procurement systems.
• Experience supporting negotiations of enterprise agreements with strategic suppliers.
• Experience supporting IT project management and software implementation initiatives.

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Commercial Contract Negotiations, Competitive Bids, Cross-Functional Communications, Data Analysis, Global Sourcing, Inventory Control Management, IT Procurement, IT Project Implementation, IT Project Lifecycle, Logistics, Logistics Management, Materials Procurement, Procurement, Procurement Software, Production Planning, Project Procurement Management, Regulatory Compliance, Relationship Building, Responsible Sourcing, Risk Management, SAP Procurement, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.--As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.- For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement•

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The salary range for this role is
$96,200.00 - $151,400.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.- Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .

You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: -We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: -We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully-
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. -No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.-

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
03/4/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE -the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R385501