IT Category Manager

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else—it’s as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, working alongside welcoming individuals who are exceptional yet unassuming, diverse yet united. You’ll grow your career within a movement that measures success in lives helped, communities strengthened, and individuals empowered. With mentors who support your growth and a mission bigger than any one of us, you’ll align your work with purpose while receiving competitive compensation and benefits. The Red Cross respects your life outside of work as much as your contributions within it.

About the role

The American Red Cross spends approximately $2 billion annually on goods and services, with $1.2 billion strategically sourced for materials, supplies, facilities, equipment maintenance, consulting, and IT hardware/software. The Supply Management team is transforming to become a top-performing function, partnering with IT leadership to manage this spend. As an IT Category Manager, you’ll leverage both IT and Supply Management expertise to engage, compete, and contract with global service providers, ensuring alignment with IT and business unit needs. This is a 100% virtual role requiring an East Coast schedule (8 AM–5 PM) and daily video participation.

Responsibilities

• Align demands and priorities with IT, business clients, and Supply Management leadership under the guidance of the Sr. Director and Director of IT Strategic Procurement.
• Manage a portfolio of suppliers, including agreements, renewals, and third-party risk management activities.
• Engage with assigned clients to understand procurement demands, timelines, and strategies while building relationships.
• Develop and implement category strategies to control costs, ensure supply continuity, and optimize portfolios.
• Lead negotiations for supplier agreements and renewals in collaboration with Legal, Risk Management, IT, and business clients.
• Negotiate statements of work and ordering documents to drive positive project outcomes.
• Assess and mitigate third-party agreement risks with Legal, Risk Management, IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), and Information Security teams.
• Contribute to business cases, spend management, and procurement timelines alongside the CIO, IT VP leaders, and project teams.
• Participate in Supply Management processes, including Supplier Onboarding (SOBRA), Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM), Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB), Risk Council, and P&L Improvement initiatives.
• Communicate with leaders, support team performance, emphasize P&L improvement, and advance diversity goals.

Scope: Individual contributor with comprehensive expertise in a specialized area. Executes highly complex or specialized projects, adapting precedent or developing innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Supply Management, Economics, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in Supply Management, Procurement, or IT Business Office roles focused on IT supplier or category management.
• Experience overseeing IT services and suppliers, with strong knowledge of IT marketplace terminology and industry norms.
• Demonstrable experience with application development, managed services agreements, and statements of work.
• Adept negotiation skills, including pay-for-performance and shared risk allocation in contracts.
• Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and influence skills to lead cross-functional meetings and presentations.
• Solid business acumen with an understanding of organizational structures, processes, and information flow in multi-line businesses.
• Proficiency with Supply Management tools for procure-to-pay and contract lifecycle management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Combined experience in both Supply Management and IT professions.
• Experience with major IT service providers and suppliers.
• Experience authoring and contracting professional services statements of work.
• Familiarity with Coupa P2P and/or Ironclad CLM.
• Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., C.P.M., CPSM, CIRM, CPIM).
• Prior experience in nonprofit, humanitarian, or mission-driven organizations.

Note: A combination of education and experience may satisfy requirements if total years meet the minimum criteria.

Physical Requirements

• Standard office environment conditions; operational flexibility to meet sudden needs.
• Ability to use a personal computer, software, and office equipment for extended periods.
• May involve sitting for long durations, driving, or working under challenging conditions.

Pay

The annual salary range for this position is $110,000–$120,000, based on geographic location, skills, and experience. This role does not include an annual bonus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Health Spending Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid time off: Starting at 19 days per year, varying by job type and tenure.
• 11 paid holidays (6 core + 5 floating).
• 401K with up to 6% employer match.
• Paid Family Leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Short- and long-term disability and insurance.
• Service awards and recognition.

Note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S.; the Red Cross does not sponsor employment visas.