Category Manager

Category Manager – Strategic Sourcing (IT Procurement)

Position Overview

• We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing initiatives for complex technology and enterprise software spend. This individual will manage high-value procurement projects, negotiate large-scale commercial agreements, and develop sourcing strategies that optimize cost, mitigate risk, and strengthen supplier partnerships.


• The ideal candidate has extensive experience negotiating complex enterprise agreements with global technology vendors such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP, Cisco, Salesforce, AWS, Google, or similar organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events for assigned technology categories.


• Develop and execute category strategies that align with business objectives.


• Manage complex RFP, RFQ, and contract negotiation processes.


• Lead commercial negotiations for multi-million-dollar software licensing, cloud services, infrastructure, hardware, and professional services agreements.


• Build strong partnerships with business stakeholders to understand current and future procurement needs.


• Analyze supplier proposals and develop total cost of ownership (TCO) comparisons.


• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, renewals, licensing structures, and service-level agreements.


• Manage supplier performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.


• Conduct market research and benchmark pricing across strategic suppliers.


• Partner closely with Legal, Finance, Security, and business leaders throughout the sourcing lifecycle.


• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal governance and purchasing policies.


• Identify cost savings and process improvements while maintaining service quality and minimizing supplier risk.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management experience.


• Experience leading large, complex procurement negotiations with enterprise technology vendors such as:


• Microsoft


• IBM


• Oracle


• SAP


• Cisco


• Salesforce


• AWS


• Google Cloud


• Strong understanding of enterprise software licensing models and commercial contract structures.


• Experience managing high-value procurement projects from strategy through execution.


• Demonstrated success negotiating favorable commercial terms and delivering measurable cost savings.


• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.


• Strong analytical and financial evaluation skills.


• Experience leading cross-functional sourcing initiatives.


• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a global enterprise procurement organization.


• Knowledge of SaaS, Cloud, Infrastructure, Telecom, and IT Services procurement.


• Experience with supplier risk management.


• Familiarity with procurement platforms such as Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, SAP, Jaggaer, or similar.


• Professional certifications (CPSM, CPM, CIPS) are a plus.

Desired Skills

• Strategic sourcing


• Category management


• Supplier relationship management


• Vendor negotiations


• Contract negotiations


• Enterprise software procurement


• Technology procurement


• Spend analysis


• Cost optimization


• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)


• RFP/RFQ management


• Cross-functional leadership


• Stakeholder management

Work Environment

• Hybrid schedule (3 days per week onsite).


• Candidates should reside within commuting distance of the office or be willing to commute three days per week.


• Flexible working hours, provided core business hours of 9:00 AM–3:00 PM are covered.

Compensation

• $60-70/hr (W2)

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