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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