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Gartner Expert
James Smith
Sr Director Analyst
James Smith is a Senior Director Analyst within Gartner's Chief Procurement Officer research team. Mr. Smith advises Chief Procurement Officers, CIOs, and procurement leaders on technology sourcing and procurement strategy, technology supplier ecosystems, workforce and contingent labor strategies, software and SaaS commercialization, technology risk, and business-led technology acquisition.
His research focuses on how organizations maximize value from technology, workforce, and supplier investments amid evolving market conditions, changing buying behaviors, and the growing impact of AI on business operations. His coverage spans technology economics, supplier and workforce operating models, commercial strategy, organizational effectiveness, contingent workforce management, vendor ecosystems, and value realization.
Drawing on nearly two decades of practitioner experience, Mr. Smith helps leaders navigate the intersection of technology, workforce, suppliers, and business outcomes while balancing cost, risk, agility, and innovation.
Previous experience
Prior to joining Gartner, Mr. Smith held leadership positions in sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and commercial strategy. He led direct and indirect procurement initiatives involving technology, services, outsourcing, contingent labor, software, cloud, and strategic supplier relationships. His experience includes organizational transformation, supplier governance, workforce strategies, commercial negotiations, and stakeholder management across large enterprises and high-growth organizations.
Mr. Smith's practitioner experience serves as the foundation from which he advises executives on maximizing value from supplier, workforce, and technology investments.
Outside of Gartner, Mr. Smith has held leadership positions supporting nonprofit governance, historical preservation, and community organizations. He served as President of the Colorado Railroad Museum Board of Directors and previously served on the City of Golden Historical Preservation Board. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change at Colorado State University. Drawing on his service in the United States Air Force, he maintains a strong interest in organizational resilience, leadership, and national security.
Professional background
VMware, Lead Sourcing Manager - Data Center Equipment and Enterprise Software, 3 years
Vantiv Inc., Sr. Sourcing Manager - Outsourcing and Offshoring; Contingent Labor, 2 years
Cincinnati Bell Telephone, Sr. Sourcing Manager - Director of Indirect Spends, 3 years
Areas of coverage
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IT Contracts Negotiations
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IT Procurement Operating Model Optimization
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IT Sourcing Strategy Development
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IT Vendor Performance Management
Education
Graduate Program in Progress - Phd in Organizational Learning Performance and Change (OLPC), Colorado State University
Master of Business Administration, Miami University (OH)
Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems/Minor Aerospace Studies, Miami University (OH)
Top Issues That I Help Clients Address
Sourcing, procurement and vendor management - designing, building, rebuilding and revamping organizations
Transforming technology procurement to support business innovation
Initiating and managing procurement transformation programs, including agile procurement processes
Evaluating and negotiating software license agreements and SaaS contracts
Negotiation planning and strategies focusing on how to tailor the negotiations to be vendor-specific