hero

The Storyboard

Welcome to the Storyboard, a place to explore career adventures at start-ups and companies founded by Claremont alumni and the Claremont community. Choose your next adventure at a company where you’ll have an edge from day one, and leverage our Claremont network to build your career.

Also, make sure to check out our newsletter, StoryHouse Review, to find out more about these companies in the Claremont ecosystem.

Strategic Sourcing Manager

Cisco

Cisco

North Carolina, USA
Posted on Nov 6, 2024

Members of the Finance organization at select locations will generally be expected to follow a hybrid work model, which includes two days of in-office attendance each week, with limited exceptions.

Application window expected to close on 10/12/2024.

Application window has been extended and expected to close on 10/28/2024.

What You'll Do

We are seeking an innovative applicant with software, SaaS and Cloud sourcing experience. You are the relationship owner between Cisco and our strategic suppliers. You will own a category or segment of specific technology suppliers by supporting the end-to-end procurement process, including RFX, supplier onboarding, supplier risk assessments, contract negotiation, PO/PR review and approval, payment verification, and ongoing contract/license compliance.

You’ll work closely with requestors and team members to negotiate commercial and contractual terms and conditions, SLAs (Availability, Performance, Downtime, etc.) in strategic software agreements that are used globally across various Cisco functions and businesses. When it comes to category strategies, you will develop and maintain a strategy that includes category elements of market/industry trends, benchmarking, spend analysis, preferred supplier categorization, supplier performance, and optimization.

In addition to these sourcing activities, you’ll also get the opportunity to support critical initiatives and transformation projects in relation to software savings, multi-year strategies/roadmaps, process improvement, business transformation, and acquisition integration.

Who You'll Work With

You will be part of a Global Procurement Team, working cross-functionally company-wide with IT, Engineering, Product Management, Sales, Security, Finance, Legal, and other Supply Chain/Procurement teams.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate possesses a combination of skills that includes category management, contract negotiation, supplier management, intuition for business, technical knowledge, and strong communication skills. You can formulate a Category/Commodity Strategy and successfully lead it to execution.

You are highly collaborative and have a proven track record of influence partners and team members at all levels. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone who has worked closely with software suppliers, can interpret license agreements, and is excited to participate in varying levels of business operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelors degree or equivalent experience in Software Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or Law; Master’s degree preferred
  • 7+ years validated experience with technology related sourcing in the areas of Software, SaaS, Cloud, Data Center, Telecom, or other related categories.
  • Understanding of Technology market trends within the Software and Cloud arena.
  • Understanding of the End-to-End Procurement process and sourcing fundamentals.
  • Project management/multi-discipline experience preferred
  • Familiarity with software license agreements or contracts
  • Knowledge of software licensing and contract compliance
  • Ability to demonstrate core foundational skills in the following areas: Cost accounting, data management, presentation, and effective communications

Why Cisco

#WeAreCisco, where each person is unique, but we bring our talents to work as a team and make a difference powering an inclusive future for all.

We embrace digital, and help our customers implement change in their digital businesses. Some may think we’re “old” (36 years strong) and only about hardware, but we’re also a software company. And a security company. We even invented an intuitive network that adapts, predicts, learns and protects. No other company can do what we do – you can’t put us in a box!

But “Digital Transformation” is an empty buzz phrase without a culture that allows for innovation, creativity, and yes, even failure (if you learn from it.)

Day to day, we focus on the give and take. We give our best, give our egos a break, and give of ourselves (because giving back is built into our DNA.) We take accountability, bold steps, and take difference to heart. Because without diversity of thought and a dedication to equality for all, there is no moving forward.

So, you have colorful hair? Don’t care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That’s cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us!

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings. Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday, plus a day off for their birthday. Employees accrue up to 20 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) each year and have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues without tapping into their PTO. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community. Employees are also able to purchase company stock through our Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.