| Location | Phoenix, AZ |
| Industry | Staffing/Employment Agencies |
| Company Size | 500 to 999 employees |
| Year Founded | 1990 |
Senior Procurement Analyst - IT Software & SaaS
Senior Procurement Analyst - IT Software & SaaS
Location: Hybrid - On-site Training for 3-4 Weeks; 4 Days/Week Remote
Job Description
The Senior Procurement Analyst ensures that products and services are procured in the best interest of the state. This position is responsible for obtaining information technology (IT) software, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and related goods and services required by the agency.
The position is responsible for the evaluation of IT vendors and contracts, including Requests for Quotes (RFQ), Requests for Proposals (RFP), and Requests for Information (RFI). This role is project-based and requires research, negotiation skills, and evaluation of services, with the ability to make recommendations based on research.
The Senior Procurement Analyst provides recommendations regarding supplier selection based on research and supports business areas in the evaluation of goods and services and in contract negotiations.
Under general supervision, this position is responsible at an agency-wide level for financial and procurement functions related to IT products and services. This includes:
We are seeking a senior IT Procurement Analyst specializing in Software & SaaS Management to oversee a growing software portfolio. The role will lead end-to-end software acquisitions, contract renewals, license optimization, and software vendor negotiations.
The analyst will collaborate closely with IT, Legal, Finance, and Information Security (InfoSec) teams to ensure cost-efficiency, compliance, and seamless SaaS operations.
This position applies broad theoretical job knowledge obtained through advanced education, knowledge of IT products and services, statewide procurement rules and regulations, and financial principles to procure new and existing IT products and services.
The position works independently under general supervision and is assigned procurements that are difficult but not typically complex in nature. May influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies, and practices.
Preferred Skills
Deep functional knowledge of SaaS, PaaS, RaaS, and IaaS licensing models. Understanding of per-user, per-core, and consumption-based entitlements to prevent overspending and audit risks.
Proficiency in the ISO-9902 Cloud Procurement Framework.
Proven ability to negotiate high-value contracts. Negotiations should address not only pricing but also Service Level Agreements (SLAs), data sovereignty clauses, renewal caps, and other contractual terms.
Ability to manage a procurement pipeline as a project, including establishing milestones, managing stakeholders across departments, and ensuring procurement timelines align with technical rollouts.
Experience drafting and scoring complex solicitations for enterprise-level IT services and ensuring that Statements of Work (SOWs) are technically sound and legally enforceable.
Ability to conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Return on Investment (ROI) analyses to justify multi-year technology investments to executive leadership.
Core Responsibilities
Software Licensing & Renewals
Proactively manage the software renewal pipeline using a 30/60/90-day lookahead. Analyze usage metrics to right-size seats, modules, and tiers before renewal.
SaaS & Enterprise Contracts
Lead commercial negotiations for SaaS agreements, Enterprise License Agreements (ELAs), and software maintenance contracts to secure competitive pricing, flexible terms, and clearly defined SLA benchmarks.
Vendor & Compliance Risk
Partner with Security, Legal, and Privacy teams to complete software vetting workflows, including SOC 2 compliance reviews, data protection agreements, vendor risk assessments, and related due diligence prior to contract signature.
Optimization & Waste Reduction
Identify overlapping software capabilities across business units, drive software rationalization, and reclaim unused or underutilized software licenses.
Audit & Asset Tracking
Maintain the Software Asset Management (SAM) repository and internal records to support vendor compliance audits and ensure software licensing compliance.
Required Skills
Minimum 3 years of experience in IT Software Procurement or IT Procurement Analyst roles specializing in Software & SaaS Management.
#LI-JS1
For over two decades, Sharp Decisions has provided superior, award-winning service in strategic business and technology consulting services to government agencies at all levels, as well as domestic and global corporations. With subject matter expertise in Investment Banking, Finance, Healthcare, Media & Telecommunications, and Manufacturing, Sharp Decisions is well equipped to serve your needs.
Established in 1990 with headquarters in New York City, and locations in Princeton, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Europe and Canada, Sharp Decisions has been the technology backbone for a client portfolio that includes an array of well-known companies. As a Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise and approved vendor, Sharp Decisions offers a powerful, cost-effective advantage. We actively partner with other MBEs to add value and meet diversity program requirements.
Sharp Decisions is also committed to hiring and training post-9/11, tech-savvy U.S. armed forces veterans through our V.E.T.S.â„¢ (Vocation, Education and Training for Service members) Program, but we cannot do it alone. Companies like EmblemHealth, Freddie Mac and Experian have stepped up to bring aboard our highly qualified and skilled veterans. We need more companies like them to take a stand and bring our veterans aboard. Our clients have told us that our veterans are more effective than their college hires because two weeks on the job for them equates to 2-3 years of experience! Learn more at www.sharpdecisions.com/vetsprogram.