Category Manager, Procurement

About the role

The Category Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing category strategies for assigned spend areas, with a significant emphasis on professional services. This role drives value through strategic sourcing, expert negotiation, and robust supplier relationship management. The Category Manager applies practical, scenario‑based skills in intake shaping, market approach selection, negotiation planning & execution, and contract performance enablement, acting as a value‑added partner to internal stakeholders, delivering measurable outcomes, and contributing to critical procurement artifacts.

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Management: Develop and implement data‑driven category strategies for professional services (e.g., consulting, managed services); conduct spend analysis, market research, and competitive intelligence; apply Total Cost of Ownership and should‑cost analysis; contribute to supplier rationalization/diversification; integrate innovation, AI‑driven solutions, digital transformation, and sustainable practices; champion supplier diversity; deliver validated financial impact aligned to savings, cost avoidance, and margin improvement; benchmark strategies against external market data.
• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation Expertise: Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing including intake shaping, RFx development, supplier evaluation, and selection; develop and execute negotiation strategies with detailed pre‑negotiation planning; master services negotiation mechanics (rate cards, labor mix, T&M vs. milestone, change control, total cost value optimization); manage contract lifecycle in Icertis; leverage procurement tools (Coupa e‑sourcing, Fair market); conduct pre‑award risk assessments; hold decision authority on sourcing strategy within defined thresholds.
• Supplier Performance & Relationship Management: Nurture strong, strategic, collaborative relationships with key suppliers to foster innovation and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership: Cultivate collaborative relationships with internal partners; engage stakeholders to understand needs and shape intake; act as trusted advisor offering insights to optimize spend; manage conflicts and seek mutually beneficial resolutions; partner with Finance to review and optimize spend requests before sourcing.
• Process & Technology Optimization: Ensure consistent application of procurement policies and best practices; leverage and optimize procurement technology (Oracle, Coupa, Archer, Icertis, Sievo); produce critical procurement artifacts (negotiation plans, SOW/SLA drafts, TCO models, intake tools); drive adoption of digital tools, automation, and AI‑enabled capabilities.
• Value Creation & Financial Impact: Identify, quantify, and deliver measurable value (cost reduction, risk mitigation, innovation, service levels); track and report procurement performance against targets and KPIs; support post‑award execution concepts related to value leakage and concession tracking.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards; utilize Archer for risk assessments; stay abreast of industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging risks; advise stakeholders accordingly.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, category management, or supply chain, with a proven track record of independently managing specific spend categories and delivering measurable results. Experience in professional services procurement is highly desirable.

Skills

• Strategic sourcing and negotiation expertise for services (rate cards, T&M, milestone‑based), data‑driven insights, AI application, TCO and should‑cost modeling.
• Intake shaping, requirements clarification, and robust SOW/SLA drafting with risk mitigation.
• Analytical and data‑driven: spend analysis, market research, data interpretation, market approach frameworks; advanced Excel; proficiency with procurement systems (Coupa, Icertis, Oracle) and spend analytics platforms (Sievo); basic AI/ML concepts a plus.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management: influencing diverse audiences, driving consensus, managing high‑stakes conversations, building collaborative internal relationships.
• Project management and business acumen: managing multiple initiatives, meeting deadlines, proactive and results‑oriented problem solving.
• Adaptable and resilient: collaborative, ethical, principle‑driven, continuous learner, comfortable with AI technologies, thriving in a fast‑paced, outcome‑oriented environment.

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience/education).
• Preferred: Master’s degree.

Licenses or Certifications

• Preferred: CPSM or C.P.M.

Travel

Less than 25% travel.

Work Environment

Hybrid position with occasional on‑site work as required.