Procurement Analyst (IT Category Manager)

Function

Our Company

We’re Hitachi Vantara, the data foundation trusted by the world’s innovators. Our resilient, high-performance data infrastructure means that customers – from banks to theme parks ­– can focus on achieving the incredible with data.   

If you’ve seen the Las Vegas Sphere, you’ve seen just one example of how we empower businesses to automate, optimize, innovate – and wow their customers. Right now, we’re laying the foundation for our next wave of growth.  We’re looking for people who love being part of a diverse, global team – and who get excited about making a real-world impact with data.

Job description

The Team

We are seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to strategically manage and optimize IT procurement activities across Hitachi, Ltd. This role will drive value, mitigate risks, and ensure the efficient acquisition of IT hardware, software, and services.

The Role
Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive IT procurement strategies aligned with Hitachi's global objectives and digital transformation initiatives.
• Lead the end-to-end procurement process for a diverse range of IT categories, including but not limited to enterprise software (SaaS, on-premise), cloud services (IaaS, PaaS), hardware (servers, networking, end-user devices), telecommunications, and IT professional services.
• Conduct market analysis, supplier identification, and due diligence to identify best-in-class IT solutions and suppliers.
• Negotiate complex contracts, terms, and conditions with IT vendors to achieve favorable pricing, service levels, and legal protections.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance, and compliance, fostering strategic partnerships and driving continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including IT, legal, finance, and business units, to understand requirements and ensure procurement strategies support their needs.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities, demand management strategies, and process efficiencies within IT procurement.
• Ensure adherence to corporate procurement policies, ethical guidelines, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Monitor IT market trends, emerging technologies, and supplier landscapes to inform procurement decisions.
• Manage and mentor a team of procurement professionals (if applicable) and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in IT procurement, with a strong focus on strategic sourcing and vendor management within a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in negotiating high-value, complex IT contracts for software, cloud services, hardware, and IT services.
• In-depth knowledge of IT market dynamics, key suppliers, and emerging technologies.
• Proven ability to develop and execute procurement strategies that deliver significant cost savings and business value.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with e-procurement systems (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa) and contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools.
• Certification in procurement (e.g., CIPS, ISM) is a plus.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Japanese is a significant advantage.

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About us

We’re a global team of innovators. Together, we harness engineering excellence and passion for insight to co-create meaningful solutions to complex challenges. We turn organizations into data-driven leaders that can a make positive impact on their industries and society. If you believe that innovation can inspire the future, this is the place to fulfil your purpose and achieve your potential.

Fostering innovation through diverse perspectives

Hitachi is a global company operating across a wide range of industries and regions. One of the things that sets Hitachi apart is the diversity of our business and people, which drives our innovation and growth.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture based on mutual respect and merit-based systems. We believe that when people feel valued, heard, and safe to express themselves, they do their best work.

How we look after you

We help take care of your today and tomorrow with industry-leading benefits, support, and services that look after your holistic health and wellbeing. We’re also champions of life balance and offer flexible arrangements that work for you (role and location dependent). We’re always looking for new ways of working that bring out our best, which leads to unexpected ideas. So here, you’ll experience a sense of belonging, and discover autonomy, freedom, and ownership as you work alongside talented people you enjoy sharing knowledge with.

We’re proud to say we’re an equal opportunity employer and welcome all applicants for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, age, disability status or any other protected characteristic. Should you need reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know so that we can do our best to set you up for success.