Senior Category Manager

Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, a platform that enables organizations depending on physical operations to harness IoT data for actionable insights and operational improvements. We help improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of industries representing over 40% of global GDP—such as agriculture, construction, field services, transportation, and manufacturing—by digitally transforming their operations at scale.

Working at Samsara means shaping the future of physical operations alongside a team driving innovative product solutions, including Video-Based Safety, Vehicle Telematics, Apps and Driver Workflows, and Equipment Monitoring. As part of a recently public company, you’ll have the autonomy and support to make a lasting impact in a high-growth environment.

About the role

Samsara is seeking a sourcing leader who thrives in ambiguity, moves with urgency, and treats every dollar of spend like it’s their own. This role is ideal for a self-starter who builds the plan, drives it to execution, and doesn’t wait for direction. You will own your categories end-to-end, acting as the subject matter expert across all engagements while balancing competing interests among stakeholders, suppliers, and the business to achieve the right outcomes.

This role is open to candidates residing in the U.S., excluding the San Francisco Bay, NYC, and Washington, D.C. metro areas. It can be office-based or fully remote.

You should apply if:

• You want to impact the industries that run our world—your efforts will help keep essential services operational, reduce emissions, and ensure worker safety.
• You are the architect of your own career—we foster rapid development, experimentation, and mastery in a hyper-growth environment.
• You’re energized by our opportunity—digitizing large sectors of the global economy requires your focus and creative, ambitious ideas.
• You want to be with the best—at Samsara, we win together, celebrate together, and support each other with a high-caliber team.

Responsibilities

Primarily focusing on SaaS, consumption data tooling, and AI for internal usage across the BizTech organization and Security, you will:

• Own the full sourcing lifecycle end-to-end—strategy, negotiation, contracting, and supplier management.
• Build and execute category strategies that deliver a competitive advantage, not just cost savings.
• Operate with a bias toward action, making sound decisions with imperfect information and adjusting quickly.
• Proactively identify sourcing opportunities ahead of stakeholder requests.
• Lead all aspects of contract redlining and negotiation in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, alongside legal counsel.
• Manage competing priorities from business owners, stakeholders, and leadership.
• Align with internal stakeholders to drive the right solutions at the right price, consistently delivering win-win outcomes.
• Analyze industry trends to anticipate issues and develop contingency plans.
• Balance speed, quality, and risk with cost savings goals.
• Champion Samsara's Operating Principles.

Requirements

• 6+ years of strategic sourcing experience, including 4+ years focused on software.
• Demonstrated career progression and increasing scope of responsibility.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with an influential skillset that drives alignment and decisions.
• Proven ability to forge relationships with executives, stakeholders, and suppliers.
• Experience redlining contracts in partnership with Legal.
• Comfortable operating with a high level of autonomy.
• Able to manage a high volume of transactions in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related discipline (preferred).

Qualifications

An ideal candidate also has:

• A track record of delivering results quickly, even in ambiguous or undefined situations.
• Energy for high volume and competing stakeholder demands rather than feeling overwhelmed.
• Sound judgment on when to move independently and when to escalate.
• Ability to build stakeholder trust quickly, particularly in new or evolving environments.
• A high level of interest in emerging technology.
• Deep command of legal and category-specific contract terms.
• Ability to translate business needs directly into contract language.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to connect sourcing decisions to broader company outcomes.

This role is best suited to a candidate energized by ownership, ambiguity, and pace, ready to make a measurable impact from day one.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this full-time position is $94,605—$143,100 USD. Base pay may vary depending on factors such as city of residence, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This role is also eligible for an initial RSU grant with no vesting cliff, and ongoing refresh opportunities tied to performance, subject to plan terms and conditions.

Benefits

At Samsara, we build for the people who keep the global economy moving. Our total rewards program delivers above-market compensation through a combination of base salary, performance-based bonus/variable pay, and equity (for eligible roles) in a high-growth public company. We differentiate pay for top performers, offering opportunities to earn above-market compensation over time.

Beyond compensation, we provide:

• A flexible, employee-led remote model.
• A professional development stipend.
• Comprehensive health and parental leave plans.

Schedule

At Samsara, we embrace a flexible working model catering to diverse team needs. Our offices are open for those who prefer in-person work, and we support remote work where it aligns with operational requirements. For certain positions, proximity to an office or specific geographic area may be required to facilitate collaboration or access to resources. All offers of employment are contingent upon securing and maintaining the legal right to work at the company and in the specified work location, if applicable.