Overview: Responsible for supporting the procurement, negotiation, and management of technology-related supplier agreements, including enterprise software, cloud services, hardware, telecommunications, and technology professional services. The role partners closely with Technology, Legal, Third-Party Risk, Finance, and business stakeholders to drive supplier selection, negotiate favorable commercial terms, manage vendor risk, and optimize technology spend.
This position plays a critical role in ensuring the organization obtains high-quality technology solutions at competitive pricing while maintaining compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and risk management standards.
Primary Responsibilities:
- For major IT sourcing initiatives, work with management to identify an Executive Sponsor and a cross-functional project team to ensure appropriate buy-in, support and participation throughout the project.
- Guide the Project Team through the Strategic Sourcing process and keep the Executive Sponsor and relevant senior managers informed of progress, setbacks and obstacles. Lead a kick-off meeting with the Project Team to clarify the objectives, strategy and proposed timeline of the sourcing initiative. Develop and execute Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs) and/or Requests for Information (RFIs) based on identified business needs, market conditions and corporate standards. Facilitate analysis, evaluation and scoring of vendor proposals against criteria established and agreed on by the Team. Conduct multiple rounds of bids and coordinate activities such as supplier demonstrations, reference calls and on-site visits to short-list suppliers. Lead contract negotiations in conjunction with the Project Team and Legal to ensure we obtain the most competitive pricing and favorable terms possible.
- Guide business and support units through the Third-Party Risk Management Program in conjunction with the Third-Party Risk Management team to ensure selected vendors are properly risk-tiered, vetted and approved before executing a contract.
- Research and analyze procurement trend data at the Bank and recommend savings opportunities to associated business lines and support functions.
- Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
- Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
- Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
- Complete other related duties as assigned.
Scope of Responsibilities:
Strategic Sourcing is a structured process that maximizes competition and leverage to select the most suitable suppliers at the best price. As such, this position is critical to expense control at the Bank. The position is responsible for one or more categories of spending that occur at the Bank and has overall responsibility for controlling expenses in the assigned category across the entire organization, inclusive of all subsidiaries, business units and cost centers. Consequently, a small percentage impact in these categories can have substantial impact on bottom line profitability of the Bank, stock price and shareholder return. More specifically,
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
- Lead and support competitive sourcing events, including Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and Requests for Quotation (RFQs) for technology products and services.
- Partner with business stakeholders to understand technical, operational, and financial requirements and translate them into sourcing strategies.
- Conduct market research and supplier analysis to identify cost optimization opportunities.
- Prepare supplier evaluation criteria, facilitate stakeholder scoring exercises, and support supplier selection recommendations.
- Develop executive-ready sourcing recommendations, including business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and negotiation outcomes.
Contract Negotiation & Commercial Management
- Negotiate enterprise software agreements, SaaS subscriptions, cloud consumption agreements, hardware purchases, maintenance agreements, and professional services engagements.
- Negotiate pricing, discounts, renewal protections, audit rights, service levels, termination rights, and other commercial terms.
- Coordinate contract reviews with Legal and Subject Matter Experts.
- Identify and mitigate contractual, operational, financial, and vendor-related risks.
- Support contract renewals, amendments, and technology initiatives.
Cloud & Software Licensing
- Analyze software licensing models, utilization data, subscription metrics, and cloud consumption patterns.
- Collaborate with technology teams to optimize software entitlements, reduce unused licenses, and avoid unnecessary expenditures.
- Negotiate public cloud provider agreements, marketplace purchases, SaaS contracts, and consumption-based pricing models.
Vendor Management
- Establish productive relationships with strategic technology suppliers.
- Support vendor performance reviews, business reviews, and issue resolution activities.
- Monitor contract expiration dates, renewal timelines.
Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Develop pricing analyses and identify opportunities for cost reduction, consolidation, standardization, and vendor rationalization.
- Track and report sourcing savings, cost avoidance, and other key procurement performance metrics.
Risk & Compliance
- Support technology vendor due diligence and legal review activities.
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years’ proven financial and/or business experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 6 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 2 years’ proven financial and/or business experience
- Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent mainframe systems and software packages, including those specific to procurement, as well as spreadsheet, presentation and database software
- Strong time management skills
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and analytical skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience interacting with all levels of management
- Strong presentation skills
- Experience writing Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
- Experience with Contract Lifecycle Management and eSignature software tools
- Knowledge of major technology suppliers and understanding of software licensing models, cloud consumption pricing, maintenance structures, and subscription agreements.
- Experience negotiating technology-related agreements, including:
- Enterprise software licenses
- SaaS and cloud agreements
- Hardware and infrastructure purchases
- Telecommunications services
- Technology consulting and professional services
- Strong contract review skills, including the redlining of IT commercial and legal terms across various types of agreements including MSA, SOW, and Order forms.
- Familiarity with procurement platforms, contract management systems, and spend analytics tools.
Education and Experience Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 4 years proven financial and/or business experience
Location:
This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring onsite presence four days per week at one of M&T Bank’s regional offices if within commutable distance. The team will consider candidates with the right experience to work remotely within the M&T footprint, if not near one of the regional hubs:
- 100 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY
- 345 Main Street, Buffalo, NY
- 115 Federal Street, Boston, MA
- 1 Light Street, Baltimore, MD
- 1350 I Street NW, Washington, DC
- 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE
- 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY
- 850 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT
- 77 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $62,200.00 - $103,600.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.
LocationBuffalo, New York, United States of America