Category Manager – Technology Procurement

Job Title: Category Manager – Technology Procurement

Primary Location: Northbrook, IL (Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite)

Position Type: 6-Month W2 Contract (August 25, 2026 – January 30, 2027) with Potential Extension

Overview

TalentFish is casting a line for an experienced Category Manager – Technology Procurement to support our premier client in driving strategic sourcing initiatives across a broad portfolio of enterprise technology. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who thrives on negotiating complex technology agreements, influencing executive stakeholders, and delivering measurable business value.

This is not a purchasing or procurement operations role. We're looking for someone who understands technology procurement from a strategic perspective and can confidently lead sourcing initiatives from business need through executed contract.

In this highly visible role, you'll partner with IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, Risk, Privacy, and senior business leaders to negotiate enterprise technology agreements, optimize supplier relationships, and drive cost savings across the organization.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Information Technology, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• 5 years of strategic IT sourcing or technology category management experience
• Proven success negotiating complex enterprise agreements for software, SaaS, cloud services, hardware, and IT professional services
• Experience negotiating directly with major technology vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow, or similar enterprise providers
• Experience negotiating with large consulting and systems integration firms including Accenture, Infosys, IBM, Microsoft Consulting, or similar organizations
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies, supplier management, and commercial contracting
• Demonstrated success achieving meaningful cost savings through negotiation and sourcing strategy
• Experience analyzing procurement spend and market data to support sourcing decisions
• Excellent communication, presentation, and executive stakeholder management skills
• Strong financial acumen with advanced Excel skills
• Exceptional organizational, documentation, and project management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously while balancing business objectives, risk, and timelines

Preferred Qualifications

• CPM, CPSM, or PMP certification
• Experience supporting global procurement organizations
• Experience leading enterprise sourcing transformation or procurement process improvement initiatives

What You'll Do

As the Category Manager, you'll own the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle for enterprise technology initiatives, including:

• Lead sourcing strategies across software, SaaS, cloud services, hardware, communications platforms, managed services, and IT professional services
• Partner with business stakeholders to understand technology requirements and develop sourcing strategies aligned with organizational objectives
• Manage RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, contract execution, renewals, and governance approvals
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, licensing models, and contractual agreements with technology vendors and consulting partners
• Develop business cases and executive recommendations that balance cost, value, and risk
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships while optimizing the enterprise supplier portfolio
• Consolidate purchasing opportunities to improve efficiency and maximize buying power
• Partner closely with IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, Risk, Privacy, and executive leadership throughout the sourcing lifecycle
• Analyze spend data, market trends, and supplier performance to identify strategic sourcing opportunities
• Drive continuous improvement across sourcing processes, procurement governance, and supplier management practices
• Ensure compliance with organizational procurement policies and contracting standards

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The ideal candidate understands how technology is purchased—not just how procurement works.

You'll be successful if you can:

• Break down SaaS licensing, subscription, and maintenance models
• Challenge vendor proposals and negotiate favorable commercial outcomes
• Clearly communicate tradeoffs and recommendations to executive stakeholders
• Navigate complex legal and contracting processes
• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously
• Build trusted relationships across both business and technology teams

This Role Is Not

This position is not a fit for candidates whose experience is primarily focused on:

• Purchase order processing
• Procurement operations
• Tactical buying
• Spend reporting without negotiations
• Data analysis without sourcing responsibility
• IT engineering or software development

Additional Information

This position requires authorization to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

All offers are contingent upon successful completion of applicable background screening, which may include employment verification, education verification, criminal background checks, drug screening, and other client-required compliance requirements.

EMAIL ME: lgironda@talentfish.com