Procurement Category Manager

Russell Tobin's client, an e-commerce company, is hiring a Procurement Category Manager in Bellevue, WA

Procurement Category Manager – Strategic Procurement & Supply Chain

Location: Bellevue, WA

Pay Rate: $47 - $49/hr.

About the Role

An industry-leading organization is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to join a strategic procurement and supply chain team focused on driving standardization, scalability, and innovation across a large operational network.

This position will play a critical role in developing supplier partnerships, optimizing sourcing strategies, and supporting the procurement of material handling equipment (MHE), automation systems, controls, and related components. The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, operations, finance, project management, and procurement stakeholders to deliver long-term value through effective category management and supplier engagement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who enjoys building processes, influencing strategy, managing complex supplier relationships, and driving operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies for equipment, components, and systems within the material handling and automation space.
• Lead competitive sourcing events, supplier negotiations, and contract execution to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Drive supplier performance management initiatives focused on quality, innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with engineering and operational teams to align procurement strategies with business objectives.
• Influence supplier technology roadmaps, product development, manufacturing processes, and innovation strategies.
• Lead complex cross-functional projects aimed at improving productivity, scalability, and operational performance.
• Monitor market conditions, industry trends, and competitive activity to support informed sourcing decisions.
• Develop and maintain category performance metrics, reporting dashboards, and savings tracking mechanisms.
• Support the implementation of procurement best practices and continuous process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, sourcing, category management, or a related field.
• Experience managing complex categories such as industrial equipment, automation systems, robotics, capital equipment (CAPEX), or related technologies.
• Proven success developing and executing sourcing strategies and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience building procurement and supply chain processes and frameworks from the ground up.
• Strong understanding of supply agreements, contract structures, and key commercial provisions.
• Cost modeling and financial analysis experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to leverage data to drive decision-making.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate across multiple organizational levels.
• Experience using procurement technologies, e-sourcing platforms, and contract management tools.
• Experience partnering with technical teams involved in product development, engineering, or applied sciences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the material handling equipment (MHE), automation, or industrial manufacturing sectors.
• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent).
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, or similar procurement/supply chain credentials.
• Experience using data analytics and visualization tools to generate business insights.
• Knowledge of large-scale operational, logistics, fulfillment, or industrial environments.

What You'll Bring

• Strategic sourcing expertise
• Strong commercial acumen
• Supplier relationship management experience
• Contract negotiation skills
• Process improvement mindset
• Cross-functional leadership capabilities
• Data-driven decision-making skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Additional Requirement: Building and network access may be required as part of this role.

Russell Tobin is a leading minority-owned professional and technical recruitment and staffing advisory organization. We are comprised of specialized practices focusing on a variety of skill sets and industries. Having a depth and breadth of industry expertise, our subject matter experts are able to provide tailored and swift sourcing solutions to fulfill client hiring needs. In other words, we connect top talent with companies. We are the staffing arm of the Pride Global network, a minority-owned integrated human capital solutions firm, with additional offerings in vendor management, payroll programs, and business process optimization.

Russell Tobin offers eligible employee’s comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity), 401(k)-retirement savings, life & disability insurance, an employee assistance program, legal support, auto, home insurance, pet insurance and employee discounts with preferred vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Russell Tobin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Fair Chance Employment

Russell Tobin is a Fair Chance employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local Fair Chance laws and ordinances, including, the California Fair Chance Act and all applicable local Fair Chance ordinances.

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.

Only applicable for San Francisco Candidates:

Under the San Francisco Lactation in the Workplace Ordinance, we will provide written notice of lactation accommodation rights, and this notice will automatically be given upon hiring, any inquiry of parental leave or lactation accommodation.