Category Manager

Primary duties

• Managing the company’s indirect spend by sourcing, reviewing, and purchasing indirect goods and services.
• Developing and updating category and sourcing strategies to reduce total cost of ownership and improve service levels.
• Evaluating, selecting, and recommending new indirect vendors and service providers to management.
• Leading RFx (RFI/RFP/RFQ) processes and negotiating favorable pricing, terms, and service levels to maximize value.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Monitoring market trends and benchmarking to identify risks, opportunities, and cost-reduction initiatives across indirect categories.
• Ensuring that project-approved budgets, savings, and compliance targets are adhered to.
• Overseeing the preparation and review of contracts, statements of work, and purchase orders for indirect spend.
• Solving vendor performance issues, service disputes, and any sourcing-related escalations.

Knowledge/Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance, or a related field.
• At least 4 years’ experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management, preferably in indirect categories.
• Solid understanding of sourcing methodologies, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
• Experience working with procurement/sourcing systems or e-sourcing tools (e.g., ERP, P2P, contract management platforms).

Skills and Abilities

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with vendors, service providers, and internal stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills, including spend analysis and total cost of ownership evaluation.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and support personnel from various departments.