About this role
JOB DESCRIPTION -
The Category Manager leads procurement activities across assigned spend categories, ensuring alignment between business objectives and category strategies. This role is responsible for fostering strategic engagement with business stakeholders and the marketplace to build and maintain a dependable, resilient, and high-performing supplier network. Responsibilities span the full procurement lifecycle, including Category Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Strategic Sourcing, Contract Negotiation and Management, and driving Innovation across the supply base.
The Category Manager is also responsible for achieving aggressive cost savings and value creation objectives while identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance procurement processes, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.
Key Responsibilities:
• Develop and execute category strategies that strengthen supplier performance and create competitive advantage.
• Ensure category strategies support overall business objectives and priorities.
• Achieve cost savings, performance, and innovation goals.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with strategic suppliers.
• Leverage market insights and best practices to enhance procurement effectiveness.
• Lead complex negotiations and commercial discussions for assigned categories.
• Champion the adoption of digital procurement tools and automation.
• Utilize procurement systems and analytics to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement in sourcing and supplier performance.
Position Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Strong expertise in IT procurement categories/sub-categories.
• Minimum 8 years of procurement experience.
• Proven experience in category management, category strategy development, and multi-year sourcing planning.
• Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of cost structures, market trends, and risk management.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, competitive bidding, and complex contract negotiations.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills, including spend and supplier performance analysis.
• Knowledge of digital procurement platforms and AI-enabled procurement solutions.
• Strong executive presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional sourcing initiatives.
• Effective leadership, influencing, and collaboration capabilities.
• Strong business acumen and ability to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment toward shared objectives.
• Strong partnership skills across senior leadership, peers, and business stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to executive audiences.
• Demonstrated learning agility and commitment to continuous personal and team development.
Preferred Requirements/Competencies :
• MBA or other advanced degree is preferred
• Experience in multiple categories (including IT) strongly preferred
• Preferred candidates will have a proven track record of building teams and guiding organizations through transformational change.