Senior Category Sourcing Manager - Network software & services

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As a Senior Category Sourcing Expert, you will manage the end-to-end sourcing for key network investments and be responsible for the full-lifecycle cost management of your category, securing a sustainable commercial advantage that enables the delivery of a superior network for Verizon customers. 

You will Source and negotiate  both new build acquisitions and the long-term optimization of "run" costs, ensuring that existing network elements and maintenance are continually refined to deliver maximum value for Verizon.

What you'll be doing...

Strategy alignment: Ensure technology roadmaps and sourcing objectives are aligned through collaboration and productive challenge.

Financial discipline & Commercial Acumen: Apply deep cost modeling and critical evaluation to deal structures, proactively identifying risks and mitigating them to drive value.

Stakeholder management: Collaborate with Engineering and Finance and others teams to achieve optimal business outcomes.

Contract negotiation: Lead the negotiation of high-value contracts for new technology and services, securing competitive terms with a focus on cost, quality and risk 

Sourcing lifecycle: Guide the end-to-end sourcing process, from market analysis to contract finalization.

Project oversight: Manage a portfolio of sourcing projects simultaneously, ensuring milestones are met and objectives are achieved.

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support network technology roadmaps, ensuring that both initial acquisition and ongoing lifecycle costs are optimized to exceed customer expectations.

• Manage the RFP process and evaluate supplier proposals for commercial viability.

• Lead negotiations for complex agreements, ensuring favorable terms and risk mitigation.

• Direct supplier performance management and lead commercial dispute resolution.

• Utilize data analysis and cost modeling to support decision-making.

• Critically evaluate deal structures and ideas, identifying potential issues and championing superior, commercially viable alternatives to stakeholders.

• Drive the optimization of existing network software and maintenance contracts; treat the category as a long-term asset, identifying opportunities to refine and extract value throughout the operational lifecycle, not just at the point of initial sourcing.

• Exercise commercial judgment to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, knowing when to advocate for sourcing objectives and when to prioritize pragmatism for timely business outcomes.

• Summarise and present your work succinctly to senior leaders 

What We're Looking For...

We are seeking a high-caliber sourcing professional with sharp commercial acumen, and the focus and resilience needed to build a cost-competitive network in a complex, cross functional environment. You possess the curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo, the expertise to architect superior deal structures, and the communication skills to secure cross-functional buy-in for alternatives that deliver a sustainable commercial advantage and a superior network experience.

You'll need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in high-value technology sourcing, specifically within complex network environments.

• Demonstrated ability to deconstruct deal structures, challenge assumptions, and architect superior alternatives that drive long-term value.

• Expertly managing both new technology acquisitions and the ongoing optimization of existing network software and maintenance spend to drive sustained value.

• Advanced financial analysis and cost modeling capabilities, with the ability to translate complex software licensing and technology cost drivers into actionable business cases.

• A proven track record of effectively partnering with Engineering and Finance teams to deliver business objectives while maintaining commercial discipline.

• Exceptional negotiation and relationship management skills, with the capability to drive high-stakes outcomes while managing critical cross-functional partnerships.

Even better if you have:

• Master's Degree

• CIPS Qualification

Why Verizon?

Verizon is committed to maintaining a Total Rewards package which is competitive, valued by our employees, and differentiates us as an Employer of Choice.

• We are a ‘pay for performance’ company and your contribution is rewarded through competitive salaries and performance-based incentives. We create an opportunity for us all to share in the success of Verizon and the value we help to create through this broad-based discretionary equity award program.

• Your benefits are market competitive and delivered by some of the best providers.

• You are provided with a full spectrum of health and wellbeing resources, including a first in-class Employee Assistance Program, to empower you to make positive health decisions.

• We offer generous paid time off benefits to help you manage your work life balance and opportunities for flexible working arrangements*.

• Verizon provides training and development for all levels, to help you enhance your skills and develop your career, from funding towards education assistance, award-winning training, online development tools and access to industry research.

• You will be able to take part in volunteering opportunities as part of our environmental, community and sustainability commitment.

* Benefit packages are tailored to the specific country where a position is based.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, gender, disability or any other legally protected characteristics.