Category Manager - Technology & Corporate Services Procurement

Summary

The Category Manager – Technology & Corporate Services Procurement is the lead strategist for procurement of all technology and corporate service categories. In this senior role, you will define and drive overarching category strategies for a broad portfolio encompassing IT (hardware, software, telecom) and corporate services (e.g. HR services, travel, facilities, marketing, professional services). Your mission is to create value for stakeholders, reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and mitigate risk through smart contracting. You will lead high-value sourcing initiatives, negotiate enterprise-level contracts, and manage key supplier relationships to ensure the company obtains the best value. This role requires working closely with all levels of business owners and stakeholders – from department managers to executives – and influencing decisions without direct authority by providing expert guidance and data-driven insights. As a people leader, the Category Manager mentors and develops the Sourcing Specialist(s) on the team, building their skills so they can execute strategies effectively and grow into future leaders. The Category Manager will manage additional resources which are offshore. The Category Manager must be adept at balancing urgent business needs with strategic long-term goals, knowing how to adjust procurement tactics when quick turnarounds are needed while still safeguarding cost savings and favorable terms.

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Minimum Requirements

Combination of Education and Experience will be considered. Must be authorized to work in the US as defined by the Immigration Act of 1986. Must pass a Criminal Background Check.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Education Details: Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field is required.

Years of Experience: Minimum seven (7) years of strategic sourcing/procurement experience, with a significant portion in indirect procurement (managing categories like IT, professional services, or other corporate services). Experience should include category management or senior buyer roles where you owned strategy and delivered substantial savings/value. Specific experience in the technology procurement domain (e.g., IT software licensing, tech contracts) and in corporate services procurement (such as negotiating service contracts in HR, facilities, travel, etc.) is highly desirable.

Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional projects or initiatives (especially those involving senior stakeholders) is required. Prior people management or team leadership experience.

Deep knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies and tools.

Proficiency in conducting rigorous data analysis and financial modeling for procurement – including spend analysis, cost breakdowns, and TCO analysis – is essential.

Familiarity with e-sourcing and procurement systems (such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills for analytics are required.

Strong understanding of contract law and contract negotiation principles: able to draft and redline contract terms, and to identify and mitigate contractual risks.

Knowledge across a broad range of indirect categories and supplier markets.

Excellent negotiation skills – a proven ability to negotiate complex deals that deliver both cost savings and robust terms.

Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data to make quick decisions and to develop innovative solutions (for example, identifying alternative sourcing options to meet a hard deadline cost-effectively).

Influence and communication skills are critical: must be able to persuasively communicate with and advise stakeholders at all levels, and to build consensus. This includes strong presentation skills to articulate procurement recommendations to executives.

Leadership and mentoring ability – capable of inspiring and guiding team members, as well as leading cross-functional project teams.

The role requires a high level of business acumen and stakeholder empathy, understanding the broader company goals and the operational context in which procurement decisions are made.

Adaptability and organizational agility – able to navigate changing priorities and urgent requests with composure, adjusting plans as needed while keeping strategic objectives in view.

Lastly, a commitment to ethical conduct and knowledge of procurement compliance (ensuring transparency, fairness, and no conflicts of interest) is a must.

Preferred Requirements

An MBA or other advanced degree.

Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPCM, or MCIPS (or equivalents) are strongly preferred, as they reflect advanced expertise in procurement best practices.

Prior Airlines or adjacent industry experience.

Job Duties

Develop and drive 1–3 year category strategies for all Technology & Corporate Services spend areas.

Identify priority projects, set cost reduction targets, and outline sourcing plans for sub-categories (e.g., IT software, consulting services, facilities management).

Update strategies based on market trends and business objectives, ensuring alignment with stakeholders’ needs.

Collect input from internal stakeholders and sourcing specialists to inform the strategy.

Secure stakeholder buy-in for implementation.

Lead major strategic sourcing initiatives, including preparing and issuing RFP/RFQ packages, evaluating supplier proposals, and conducting final negotiations.

Utilize data and analytics to compare scenarios and supplier offers, always considering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and contractual risks before making decisions.

Negotiate high-value contracts with key suppliers, aiming for best-in-class terms on pricing, service levels, and risk allocation.

Leverage advanced negotiation strategies and creativity (such as multi-year cost modeling and performance-based incentives) to achieve outcomes that drive cost savings and added value.

Oversee contract finalization in collaboration with Legal after negotiations, ensuring agreements protect the company’s interests and comply with corporate policies.

Serve as the primary liaison to business units for all procurement needs in technology and corporate service domains.

Engage regularly with stakeholders at all levels—including IT project managers, department heads, VP-level executives, and C-suite sponsors—to fully understand their requirements, timelines, and pain points.

Provide expert advice and market insights to help stakeholders make informed decisions (e.g., recommending spend consolidation across departments to achieve better pricing).

Influence without formal authority by building trust and demonstrating procurement’s value, such as persuading business leaders to adjust deadlines for competitive bidding that results in significant cost savings.

Keep stakeholders informed about sourcing plans and progress, while effectively managing expectations when urgent needs must be balanced against optimal procurement processes.

Act as a trusted advisor and business partner to secure stakeholder support for procurement initiatives and ensure compliance with procurement policies.

Oversee the company’s relationships with major suppliers in the technology and corporate services categories.

Implement Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) practices to monitor performance, resolve issues, and identify continuous improvement opportunities.

Conduct regular business reviews with key vendors (e.g., top IT suppliers, critical service providers) to assess performance against SLAs and KPIs, and drive corrective actions or innovative solutions as needed.

Mitigate supplier risks by diversifying the supply base where appropriate, and ensure contingency plans are established for critical services.

Champion initiatives that deliver value beyond cost, such as fostering longer-term partnerships, encouraging supplier-led innovation, or driving proces