Category Manager, Indirect Procurement

Indirect Procurement Category Manager Position Profile

The Manager, Category is responsible for the strategic execution of sourcing and procurement activities across assigned indirect spend categories, including professional services, IT, marketing, facilities, and travel. This role partners with business units to align procurement strategies with organizational goals, drive cost savings, foster supplier innovation, and mitigate risk while ensuring quality and service standards.

Job Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Conduct market analysis and supplier benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities.
• Lead RFPs, RFIs, and contract negotiations for assigned categories.
• Monitor contract repository and support renewals or terminations.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation through supplier collaboration.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and ensure alignment.
• Provide guidance on procurement best practices and policy compliance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business units on sourcing decisions.
• Identify and assess opportunities, develop business cases, and present recommendations to leadership.

Cost Management & Value Delivery

• Identify cost-saving opportunities and deliver measurable value.
• Track and report on category performance, savings, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure total cost of ownership (TCO) is considered in sourcing decisions.

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Mitigate supply chain risks through proactive planning and supplier diversification.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related discipline.
• 5 years of professional experience in strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, pricing analysis, or commodity management.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in procurement tools and systems (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience in a matrixed or global organization is a plus.
• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Results-oriented with a focus on value creation.
• Ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage categories and business relationships to create value and minimize risk.
• Expert knowledge of sourcing activities including market analysis, RFP development, bid evaluation, and contract negotiations.
• Understanding of Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Diversity, and Strategic Sourcing functions including Procure-to-Pay.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis of supplier data and organizational spend.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to drive change.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Planning and organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Advanced negotiating and influencing skills.
• Customer service orientation with the ability to build productive relationships with internal stakeholders.