Category Manager

Job Summary

The Category Manager leads the proactive development and execution of holistic category strategies for complex portfolios. They act as a trusted business advisor, utilizing market insights to unlock value beyond price, fostering strategic supplier relationships that drive innovation, performance, risk mitigation, and supply availability, in addition to, achieving the optimal total cost of ownership (TCO).

Team Overview

The Technology & Professional Services Indirect Procurement Team is responsible for sourcing technology and professional services solutions across all Business functions. The Team works collaboratively with Business stakeholders to develop and align on strategy, to support solution and supplier selections through go to market events, to negotiate contracts, to manage vendors, and to complete contract renewals.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Management (20-30%): Develop and execute competitive category and sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives in partnership with IT Stakeholders.

• Negotiating and Contracting (20-25%): Lead strategic and complex contract negotiations, including managing vendor relationships. Execute agreements that mitigate risk and attain the lowest total cost of ownership in accordance with company policies and category strategies. Able to run RFx events with no oversight.

• Collaboration & Coordination (15-20%): Lead and participate in cross-functional teams to drive the implementation of sourcing requirements. Partner with internal stakeholders to identify project benefits and provide periodic updates to management.

• Source to Pay (S2P) Process Excellence (15-20%): Manage contractual commitments and supplier assessments to ensure quality and delivery requirements are met. Utilize S2P tools for e-sourcing, contract lifecycle management, and spend analysis. Develop catalogs as part of continuous improvement efforts.

• Analysis & Market Intelligence (10-15%): Organize data sets to develop meaningful analysis of spend, cost, and performance metrics. Provide supply-based market intelligence and timely cost information to internal partners.

• Supplier Relationship Management (10-15%): Assess potential suppliers and oversee the tracking of supplier metrics. Conduct structured supplier business reviews to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in Technology Strategic Sourcing, Technology Category Management, or a related technology Procurement role, with a proven track record of managing strategic or complex categories and higher-dollar spend.

• Negotiation Skills: Advanced experience in strategic and complex technology contract negotiations, including a thorough understanding of legal and commercial clauses, risks, with the ability to manage negotiations with minimal oversight.

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to organize data sets, perform spend and cost analysis, and develop compelling business cases to influence decision-makers.

• Business Acumen: Deep understanding of industry trends, vendor capabilities, and financial performance impacts; ability to function as a self-starter and trusted business advisor.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage relationships across various levels of the organization.

• Technical Proficiency: Solid technical skills with comfort in learning new systems and proficiency in Source-to-Pay (S2P) tools and project management.

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position - Frequently
• Stationary Position/Seated - Frequently
• Position Self/Stooping - Occasionally
• Position Self/Kneeling - Occasionally
• Position Self/Crouching - Occasionally
• Reaching - Occasionally
• Handling - Occasionally
• Grasping - Occasionally
• Communicate/Talking - Frequently
• Communicate/Hearing - Frequently
• Repetitive Motions - Frequently

How We Protect What Matters Most

• We offer a wide range of health insurance options that include medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• Our Family-Building benefits support the many different journeys to fertility and parenthood.
• We have a robust 401K plan including an employer match contribution with your pre-tax and/or Roth contributions.
• We offer other exciting programs and perks to help employees achieve work-life balance, such as a wellness program, free financial coaching, a referral program, and product rebates when purchased for an employee’s primary residence.
• We provide internal training programs and courses, as well as a generous tuition reimbursement program.
• We are committed to fostering a culture that reflects our values to connect, empower, evolve, and inspire. We offer many opportunities for employees to connect with one another, including through our Employee Resource Groups who focus on education and allyship for all of our employees.

Benefits

• Base salary and/or rate of pay ranges listed are exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses.
• Individual compensation offers will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, relevant candidate experience and skill, education, and/or qualifications.
• Base Salary Range: $96,000-$132,000

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to equal employment opportunity on the basis of each candidate's qualifications, experience, and merit, without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.