Senior Buyer/Procurement Manager

About Cognizant Corporate

Cognizant Corporate is a global community united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and our forward-thinking mindset fuels continuous learning, innovation, and growth.

At Cognizant, careers transcend titles. We empower our people to think strategically, inspire others, and lead with purpose – always guided by our core values. Join us in shaping future of business. Could you be the one to make a difference?

The Role - Overview

Cognizant is looking for a Senior Buyer / Procurement Manager for IT Procurement. This role requires expertise in various categories, including but not limited to IT Field Services and Security

As a Sr. Buyer/ Manager, you will be managing end-to-end procurement, requirement gathering and initiatives for various IT sub-categories. You’ll identify areas of cost reduction & optimization opportunities through market analysis and supplier negotiations, analyze the cost models and support in the performance matrix of key suppliers. You’ll be closely working with global category Leads in this role.

In this role you will:

1. Managing key suppliers/partners/VAR within the category. Running end to end RF(x) process, interacting with suppliers for quotes & renewals.

2. Collaboration with the internal teams / client facing teams/ BU stakeholders for firm bill of material & budget approvals.

3. Considerable knowledge of purchasing practices including best verses lowest price quote, closed bid process, total cost of purchase, cost savings of purchases, and public purchasing restrictions.

4. Good knowledge of competitive supplier base across all IT categories.

5. IT industry-based category buying experience (mandatory)

6. Work closely with Pre-Sales/Sales/Practice/Internal IT/Corporate Security/BU teams to support in Customer RFPs & solution discussions.

7. Publish project/procurement trackers & communicate effectively within the organization with updates.

8. Contract Management - Experience in closure of SOWs, Master Agreements, Partnership Agreements, MSP & Resell Agreements

9. Process oriented who can align with the Procurement Process and Policy.

10. Good understanding of PR -PO process, CLM & ERP processes in Procurement.

11. Experience working in ERP suites such as Ariba.

12. Experience in managing RFP’s, RFI, RFQ's and Reverse Auctions

13. Understanding of Supplier 360, Resell business & Procurement as a Service

14. Knowledge on supplier due diligence & on boarding process and tools

15. Excellent skill in supplier negotiations and negotiation strategies

16. Hands on experience on source selection techniques and fair value requirements

17. Knowledge on local tax and regulations related to procurement.

18. Ability to handle confidential material judiciously.

Duties and Tasks

1. Prepare specifications for the purpose of soliciting bids/proposals from qualified vendors; distribute invitations for bids/proposals, and set bid/proposal opening dates; receive and evaluate bid for successful vendor; maintain file records

2. Convert requisitions; issue purchase orders; approve ordering; distribute purchase orders to the appropriate Vendor Partner.

3. Negotiate with the suppliers on day-to-day purchase requirements and ensure soft dollar/ hard dollar savings to the organization

4. To strategize to find cost-effective deals and suppliers

5. Drive implementation of Procurement policies and procedures

6. End to end contract execution and timely renewal of contracts

7. Manage supplier relationships and conduct periodic business reviews

8. Design, develop and execute RFx

9. Participate in procurement audits

10. Interact with various business groups in contract execution process

11. Prepare supplier recommendation summary

12. Ensure compliance to Global Procurement policy

Skills

1. Guides and motivates the business groups to nurture and develop process culture across service lines

2. Influence & collaborate with business groups to ensure process and policy compliance

3. IT Procurement (IT Field Services/ Security category preferred)

4. Negotiation & Contracting

5. Analytical Skills

6. Communication & Presentation skills

7. Project Management, Organization and Interpersonal Skills

8. Effective and Efficient in problem solving and ensure the end-to-end cycle time is as per the accepted SLA.

9. Experience in MS office and responsible for reporting key procurement parameters.

10. Flexible in office time as the Procurement Leaders are present globally across different time zones.

What you'll need to succeed and What will help you stand out:

1. 8-10 years of experience in Procurement with vast experience in IT sourcing, contracting, negotiations, category expertise, SRM & stakeholder management

2. Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in strategic sourcing/ senior buyer related roles

3. Experience working with varying ERP Platforms (Ariba preferred)

4. You can demonstrate experience in managing large volume of business & transactions in Procurement.

5. You are Techno-commercial and understand how the cost can be optimized by consolidating both technical and commercial parameters.

6. You love to learn and incorporate creative ideas to bring efficiency to the procurement processes.

7. You give meaning to data by investigating the complex data sets and making sense of information.

8. You are a team player and thrive to bring collective success for the function

Category Expertise

1. Understanding of field services operations, pricing models & contracts under the IT category.

2. Partnership with cybersecurity: Working closely with the IT and security teams to align procurement decisions with the overall cybersecurity strategy.

1. Knowledge of cybersecurity software and data protection to physical security systems and third-party security services.
2. Develop and build relationships with key partners and work on quotes and contract renewals.
3. Coordination with the internal teams, including legal, and driving the project to closure.
4. Create Sourcing Plan and Project Trackers for large value deals.
5. Contract Management- MSAs renewals, new partner onboarding, SSA agreements.
6. Engaged actively in RFPs for the new bids with the pre-sales/solutioning team.
7. Create Order packs, internal approval notes and summarize the transaction with artefacts.
8. Preparing Timely Reports, Trackers and Monthly Presentations to report to the leadership.
9. Quarterly business meetings facilitate engagement with partners, conduct financial health assessments, provide industry insights, and report significant changes to management.

Working Arrangements:

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 2-3 days a week in a our Cognizant Mississauga Office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Post Closing Date:

Applications will be accepted until October 22, 2025.