IT Procurement Senior Manager at CohnReznick in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

As CohnReznick grows, so do our career opportunities. As one of the nation's top Professional Services and Business Advisory firms, we foster teams in Advisory, Assurance, and Tax services that value innovation and collaboration in everything they do!



Company Overview.



CohnReznick is one of the nation's top Professional Services and Business Advisory firms, with over $1 billion in annual revenue and 5,000 employees across the United States. We are committed to creating opportunity, value, and trust for our clients, people, and communities.



YOUR TEAM.



We currently have an exciting career opportunity in our Information Technology team for an IT Procurement Lead in a hybrid capacity.


CohnReznick is a hybrid firm and most of our professionals are located within a commutable distance to one of our offices. This position is considered remote which means it does not require job duties be performed within proximity of a CohnReznick office location. However, as a remote employee, you may be required to be present at a CohnReznick office with scheduled notice for client work, team meetings, or trainings.



WHY COHNREZNICK?



At CohnReznick, we're united by a common mission to create opportunity, value, and trust for our clients, our people, and our communities. Whether it's working alongside your peers to solve a client challenge, or volunteering together at the local food bank, there are so many ways to find your "why" at the firm.


We believe it's important to balance work with everyday life - and make time for enjoyment and fun. We invest in a robust Total Rewards package that includes everything from generous PTO, a flexible work environment, expanded parental leave, extensive learning & development, and even paid time off for employees to volunteer.


The IT Procurement Lead will establish and lead the IT Procurement function for CohnReznick, crafting and implementing a comprehensive procurement strategy that aligns with the firm's business objectives. This is a strategic role responsible for building a best-in-class IT procurement practice, focusing on optimizing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring cost-effective technology acquisitions that meet the organization's evolving needs.


This role will report to the Chief Information Officer and will be responsible for establishing procurement strategies, policies, and processes for all technology-related purchases, vendor relationships, and resource management. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in optimizing technology spending, ensuring vendor compliance, and driving value through strategic sourcing initiatives.


As the inaugural leader of this function, this person will serve as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to senior leadership, facilitating decision-making processes and implementing procurement best practices. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of procurement expertise, IT industry knowledge, and a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset to drive efficiencies and support the firm's growth.



YOUR ROLE.




Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic Development & Implementation:

• Develop and execute a strategic technology procurement plan, outlining policies, processes, performance metrics, and KPIs.


• Align IT procurement goals with overall corporate strategy, annual budget, and IT roadmap, ensuring the function supports long-term business objectives.


• Establish strong governance and compliance frameworks for IT procurement, ensuring all activities adhere to regulatory requirements and internal policies.


• Establish procurement policies, procedures, and best practices.


• Implement tools and systems to streamline procurement operations.


• Develop and implement strategies for IT resource procurement


• Standardize rate cards and resource engagement models


• Create processes for evaluating and onboarding technical resources


• Establish guidelines for resource allocation and utilization


• Monitor and optimize resource costs across projects


• Vendor Management & Negotiations


• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with key technology vendors, fostering partnerships that deliver long-term value to the firm.


• Lead complex negotiations on IT contracts, securing favorable terms on pricing, service levels, and risk allocation.


• Create standardized processes for vendor evaluation and selection to include vendor rationalization and consolidation strategies


• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key technology vendors


• Develop and implement a vendor management strategy to assess performance, ensure accountability, and maximize the value of vendor engagements.


• Monitor market trends to identify emerging vendors, technologies, and sourcing strategies that could benefit the organization.

• 
  Cost Optimization & Value Delivery:
  

• Drive cost efficiencies and maximize ROI on IT investments through strategic sourcing and effective procurement practices.


• Analyze total cost of ownership (TCO) for major IT procurements, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints and corporate financial goals.


• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities across key IT categories, including hardware, software, cloud services, and professional services.


• Develop strategies for consolidating technology purchases


• Create and maintain cost benchmarks for technology products and services


• Implement processes for tracking and reporting cost savings


• Lead cost optimization initiatives across the technology portfolio


• 
  Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication:
  

• Act as a strategic partner to IT, Finance, Legal, and other key stakeholders, providing insights and guidance on procurement-related matters.


• Regularly communicate procurement goals, strategies, and performance to senior leadership, facilitating informed decision-making.


• Lead change management efforts associated with implementing new procurement policies and practices, ensuring smooth adoption across the organization.


• Partner with the business units on requirements gathering and stakeholder management.


• Coordinate on resource allocation and planning with project management teams


• 
  Risk Management & Compliance:
  

• Develop and maintain a risk management strategy for IT procurement, addressing potential risks related to supply chain, data security, and vendor reliability.


• Collaborate with Legal and Finance to ensure all procurement activities comply with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.


• Proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with vendor contracts, including issues related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and business continuity.


• Develop and maintain contract management and review procedures.


• Create and maintain procurement documentation and audit trails.


• 
  Process Improvement and Automation:
  

• Implement procurement automation tools and systems


• Streamline the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process


• Develop efficient workflows for procurement requests and approvals


• Create standardized templates and documentation


• Establish continuous improvement processes for procurement operations

YOUR EXPERIENCE.




The successful candidate will have:

• Knowledge of IT service management and ITIL frameworks.


• Familiarity with ERP and procurement software (SAP, Coupa, etc.).

Key Success Metrics:





How will you be evaluated?

• Implementation of a comprehensive IT procurement strategy within the first 12 months.


• Achieving cost savings targets and improving procurement efficiency by defined percentages.


• Establishing and maintaining strong vendor relationships with measurable performance improvements.


• Successful alignment of IT procurement practices with corporate compliance, risk management, and governance requirements.


• Streamlining procurement processes and reducing cycle times


• Ensuring compliance and risk management across all procurement activities.


• Supporting business growth through effective resource management

Demonstrated experience in the financial services, tax, audit, or advisory sectors is highly desirable.


This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a foundational function within CohnReznick, directly contributing to the firm's strategic growth and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader, capable of translating complex IT procurement needs into actionable strategies that drive value and support business transformation.


Studies have shown that we are less likely to apply to jobs unless we meet every single qualification. At CohnReznick, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our other roles.


CohnReznick is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive team to drive business results and create a better future every day for our team members, clients, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. For more information, please see Equal Employment Opportunity Posters


If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at CRaccommodation@CohnReznick.com Please note: This email address is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and are not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.


CohnReznick does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are currently engaged by CohnReznick Talent Acquisition Team by way of a written agreement to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that CohnReznick will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person, or entity.


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