Procurement and Software Vendor Manager

Pontera is a fintech company on a mission to help people retire better. Our software platform enables retirement savers to get the help they need managing their 401(k) and other retirement plan accounts as part of a personalized strategy by their trusted financial advisor.

Pontera is used by financial advisors across the nation– from SMB to Fortune 500 RIA firms, independent broker-dealers, plan custodians, and plan advisors.

Backed by leading venture capital firms including ICONIQ Growth and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pontera is built by talented individuals who share a dedication to helping people retire with greater security.

Our team is fast-growing and driven to become one of the largest fintech companies in the world. Our culture is built on a people-first principle: in a complex and numbers-driven industry, we never lose sight of the people we serve and work alongside. That's where you come in.

The Procurement and Software Vendor Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of all SaaS and enterprise application vendors. This role ensures commercial and compliance integrity, drives cost optimization, and maximizes the value of the company's software ecosystem. The position is central to maintaining a structured procurement framework and ensuring that all technology investments align with business, legal, and security requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vendor and Contract Management:

Manage the complete vendor lifecycle, including onboarding, evaluation, contract negotiation, and renewals in partnership with the Legal team.
Maintain a centralized vendor repository with contract metadata, renewal dates, SLAs, pricing, and spend.
Lead RFP and RFI processes to source and compare vendor solutions.
Negotiate commercial and contractual terms to secure competitive pricing and favorable conditions.
Drive recurring vendor performance and relationship reviews with internal stakeholders.

Application Lifecycle Ownership and Optimization:

Monitor and manage SaaS and enterprise applications to ensure alignment with business needs and technology strategy.
Manage renewal cycles by initiating reviews 90 to 120 days before contract expiration.
Collaborate with IT, IS, and business units to identify redundant or underutilized tools and consolidate where appropriate.
Evaluate alternative solutions and assess impact on cost, security, and operational efficiency.

Financial and Spend Management:

Track license utilization and conduct quarterly or annual usage reviews prior to renewal.
Ensure all renewals are routed through IT/IS and Finance for validation, budgeting, and prioritization.
Reduce unnecessary spend by promoting the use of existing software before approving new purchases.
Provide insight into vendor-related budgets, forecasts, and spending trends.

Governance and Compliance:

Ensure vendor agreements comply with InfoSec, privacy, and regulatory requirements, including DPAs, SCCs, and risk assessments.
Partner with Legal and Security teams to evaluate vendor risk and perform due diligence.
Maintain and enhance procurement policies, processes, and standards to ensure consistency and compliance across the organization.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor escalations and cross-functional alignment.
Partner with business leaders, IT/IS, Security, and Finance throughout vendor evaluations, renewals, and implementation processes.
Communicate procurement timelines, expectations, and requirements to internal teams.

REQUIREMENTS:

3 to 5 years of experience in procurement, vendor management, software asset management, or related fields.
Experience managing SaaS and enterprise software vendors, including negotiating contracts and renewals.
Background working closely with Legal, IT, Security, and Finance teams.
Familiarity with procurement frameworks, vendor risk assessments, and contract structures.
Strong negotiation and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing proposals, usage data, and commercial terms.
Excellent understanding of SaaS licensing models, enterprise application categories, and software lifecycle processes.
Ability to manage multiple vendors and procurement cycles simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
High attention to detail, with the ability to maintain comprehensive vendor documentation and workflows.

Technical and Compliance Knowledge:

Understanding of data privacy and security requirements such as DPAs, SCCs, and InfoSec compliance.
Proficiency with vendor management or procurement tools and spreadsheets for tracking usage, spend, and contracts.
Experience with budgeting, cost analysis, and financial validation for technology purchases.

WHAT WE OFFER
Opportunity: Have a major impact at a fast-growing startup that is revolutionizing the FinTech industry
Team Culture: A collegial, collaborative, fun work environment with frequent team events
Professional Development: Sponsored learning & development program
Work Flexibility: A hybrid office work model (In-Office Mon/Tues/Weds and WFH Sun//Thurs)