IT Vendor Contract Manager

Req ID: 446612 

Benefits:* Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance program * Paid Time Off  * 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5% * Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance after 30 days * Hiring Immediately * 

BASIC PURPOSE: The IT Contract Manager plays a key role in orchestrating and administering agreements between enterprises and technology vendors or service providers. Their paramount duty is to ensure that these contracts are meticulously structured to be advantageous, legally compliant, and in harmony with the organization's strategic and operational imperatives. The IT Contract Manager will also play a pivotal role in the attainment of milestones pertaining to contractual negotiations and projects for the Sr. Manager of IT Administration: The Technology Contract Manager will spearhead the achievement of key milestones related to contractual negotiations and projects for the Sr. Manager of IT Administration. 

The role requires a balance of deep expertise in contract management, vendor negotiation, and a strategic understanding of IT needs.  This role is also crucial for ensuring operational efficiency, cost control, and risk mitigation. It also strengthens the strategic oversight in technology contracts, which is pivotal for scaling and evolving IT functions within the organization.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Negotiate contracts with vendors for the information technology department.
• Actively engage with IT Business Relationship Managers and their business-facing customers during vendor and product reviews. Serve as the expert in contract negotiations and renewals, ensuring that all contracts are meticulously reviewed by Legal and IT Security when applicable. Assist with performance disputes and contract terminations to maintain smooth vendor relationships and contractual adherence.
• Take full ownership of leading and managing the negotiation of high-value technology contracts, including software licensing, hardware procurement, cloud services, IT consulting, and managed services. Ensure that terms are meticulously structured to favor the organization, with a steadfast focus on scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness, thereby aligning with company objectives and robust risk mitigation strategies.
• Take responsibility and provide comprehensive oversight of the entire lifecycle of IT contracts, from initiation and negotiation to execution, renewal, and termination. This includes proactively reviewing and updating existing contracts to reflect changes in scope, pricing, or other critical terms as needed.
• Collaborate closely with contract owners throughout the contract's lifecycle to ensure it remains aligned with evolving technology needs and regulatory requirements, fostering a strategic partnership that drives mutual success.
• Serve as the authoritative expert in interpreting and evaluating detailed contractual documents, ensuring that all terms and conditions adhere to Love’s and Information Technology’s standards while safeguarding their interests. Provide in-depth advice and strategic recommendations to internal stakeholders on contract terms, negotiation tactics, and vendor selections, leveraging extensive expertise to drive optimal outcomes.
• Evaluate risks in technology contracts, such as intellectual property rights, data breaches, and vendor lock-in. Negotiate clauses to protect against IT-specific risks like service outages and obsolete technology.
• Work with Legal and IT Security teams to craft strong contractual terms, handle data breaches, and ensure compliance with regulations. This collaboration helps mitigate threats and safeguard data.
• Partner with IT architects, cybersecurity experts, and system administrators to ensure that contract terms support technical specifications and security protocols.
• Own the process of establishing and negotiating Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that align with the IT department's performance standards, including uptime, response times, and support levels. Collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure all agreements fulfill organizational needs and objectives.
• Proactively collaborate with stakeholders to monitor contract costs, ensuring that expenditures align with the department's budget and financial goals.

• Verify that all contracts comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, ensure alignment with broader IT strategy and goals, such as digital transformation initiatives, cybersecurity frameworks, and cloud migration plans, and engage with vendors and service providers to negotiate favorable terms, including pricing, service levels, warranties, indemnities, and termination clauses.

• Maintain and manage relationships with existing and potential vendors, ensuring effective communication and mutual understanding throughout the negotiation process.
• Develop strategies and include provisions within contracts to mitigate identified risks and protect the organization from potential liabilities.
• Stay updated on technology trends, emerging vendors, and market benchmarks to ensure the organization secures the best possible terms.
• Continuously review and refine the contract negotiation and management processes within the IT department, incorporating best practices and innovative technologies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in MIS, Accounting, Finance, or related field

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience negotiating contracts
• Experience dealing with vendor communication and onboarding
• Proficient with current technologies and standard business applications
• Experience within the IT industry or working closely with IT departments is highly beneficial. This includes familiarity with technology procurement processes, IT vendor management, and understanding the technical aspects of IT contracts.
• Proven record of accomplishment of handling complex, high-stakes negotiations, particularly in a technology context.
• Experience in managing vendor relationships, including negotiating terms, monitoring performance, and handling disputes.
• Proven experience in identifying and mitigating risks in technology contracts, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, procurement, and IT departments.
• Experience working in fast-paced or high-growth environments, such as startups or rapidly scaling companies, can be beneficial due to the dynamic nature of technology procurement.

      SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

      Skills:

• Ability to persuade and influence stakeholders and vendors to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
• Competence in resolving disputes and managing conflicts that arise during negotiations, ensuring that agreements are reached without damaging relationships.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate contract terms, assess risks, and determine the financial and operational impact of agreements.
• Ability to make informed decisions based on a thorough analysis of contract details, market trends, and organizational needs.
• Proficiency in interpreting complex contractual language and ensuring that contracts align with organizational objectives and legal requirements.
• Competency in managing multiple contracts and projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to deadlines.
• Ability to identify potential risks in contracts and develop strategies to mitigate those risks, ensuring the organization is protected from adverse outcomes.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, to convey contract terms, negotiation strategies, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with vendors, legal teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and requirements during the negotiation process.

      Typical Physical Demands:

• Occasional evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, calculator, and other computer components.
• Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Job Function(s): Corporate 

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with more than 630 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets.
• Speedco and Love’s Truck Care, the largest oil change and preventive maintenance and total truck care network.
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader.
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert.
• TVC Pro-driver, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) protection subscription service.