Job Description
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
#1273
Job Tags
Contract work, Work at office, Flexible hours, 3 days per week