Global Technology Category Manager - Software Cybersecurity & IT Services

Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. Join us.

The Global Category Manager for Software Cybersecurity & IT Services will be responsible for leading the strategic sourcing, category management, supplier governance, and commercial optimization of enterprise software cybersecurity solutions, cloud technologies, and technology management and integration providers. This role serves as a trusted advisor to Technology, Security, Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders, developing sourcing strategies that support business growth, operational resilience, compliance requirements, and innovation objectives.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in strategic sourcing of software cybersecurity technologies, managed services and enterprise technology integrations. This individual will lead complex sourcing initiatives, develop category strategies, negotiate enterprise agreements, and drive value through supplier partnerships while supporting the evolving technology needs of a customer-centric organization in the Utilities & Energy sector.

We are seeking a collaborative, accountable, innovative, and authentic leader who is passionate about delivering measurable business outcomes through strategic supplier engagement, commercial excellence, and continuous improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead category strategy development for Software Cybersecurity, Cloud Solutions, and Technology Integration initiatives, leveraging market intelligence, industry trends, technology roadmaps, and supplier ecosystem assessments.

Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support enterprise security initiatives, digital transformation programs, infrastructure modernization efforts, and business-critical technology investments.

Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including RFx development, supplier identification, evaluation, negotiations, selection, contracting, implementation support, performance management, and ongoing supplier relationship management.

Serve as the procurement lead for enterprise-wide software and ensuring alignment with business priorities, technology strategies, risk management objectives, and regulatory requirements.

Lead commercial negotiations with software vendors, managed service providers, systems integrators, consulting firms, cloud providers, and technology partners to achieve optimal pricing, terms, and long-term value.

Partner closely with Global managed Services, Information Security, IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, Digital Transformation, Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and business teams to understand requirements and align sourcing strategies to organizational goals.

Evaluate technology platforms, cybersecurity tools, identity and access management solutions, threat detection technologies, cloud security services, and technology integration capabilities.

Support procurement activities related to enterprise applications, SaaS solutions, cloud platforms, security software, managed services, professional services, and systems implementation engagements.

Develop comprehensive category plans, supplier segmentation strategies, cost optimization roadmaps, and continuous improvement initiatives that enable business agility and innovation.

Conduct supplier risk assessments, financial reviews, security due diligence, compliance evaluations, and business continuity reviews to support informed sourcing decisions.

Drive supplier accountability through performance scorecards, governance frameworks, service level agreements, key performance indicators, and executive business reviews.

Analyze spend patterns, pricing models, technology consumption trends, software licensing structures, and supplier performance metrics to identify optimization opportunities and support strategic decision-making.

Provide marketplace insights regarding emerging cybersecurity technologies, software licensing trends, managed services models, cloud adoption strategies, and technology integration best practices.

Prepare executive-level business cases, supplier recommendations, negotiation summaries, category updates, and strategic sourcing presentations for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

Foster strong, collaborative relationships across the organization and with strategic suppliers to support innovation, operational excellence, and a customer-centric approach to technology investment.

Promote procurement governance, ethical sourcing practices, contract compliance, and continuous improvement while ensuring adherence to organizational policies and procurement standards.

Required Skills & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.

10+ years of experience in strategic procurement, category management, sourcing, project management or vendor management with a focus on enterprise technology categories.

Demonstrated experience sourcing and managing software security, cybersecurity, cloud services, managed services, technology consulting, and systems integration providers.

Strong understanding of cybersecurity technologies, including identity and access management (IAM), cloud security, endpoint security, threat detection, vulnerability management, security operations, governance, risk and compliance, and managed security services.

Proven ability to lead complex RFx processes, supplier evaluations, contract negotiations, and enterprise-level commercial engagements.

Experience negotiating enterprise software agreements, SaaS contracts, cloud subscriptions, managed service agreements, statements of work, licensing structures, and professional services engagements.

Knowledge of technology integration projects, enterprise architecture environments, software implementation programs, and digital transformation initiatives.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, pricing structures, total cost of ownership models, cost drivers, and business cases.

Experience partnering effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders across Information Technology, Information Security, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Operations functions.

Excellent communication, facilitation, influencing, and executive presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex commercial and technical concepts clearly.

Demonstrated ability to operate in a fast-paced, agile environment while managing multiple strategic priorities and producing measurable business outcomes.

Strong contract management and supplier governance experience, including service level agreements, performance management, risk mitigation, and compliance oversight.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, procurement processes or ERP platforms.

Proven commitment to collaboration, accountability, innovation, authenticity, and customer-focused decision-making.

Preferred Skills & Experience

Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline.

Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CIPS, PMP, ITIL, CISSP, CISM, CCSP, Six Sigma Lean or equivalent procurement and cybersecurity credentials.

Experience supporting technology organizations within Utilities, Energy, Critical Infrastructure, Telecommunications, or highly regulated industries.

Expertise in enterprise software licensing models, including SaaS, subscription, perpetual, consumption-based, cloud marketplace, and managed service agreements.

Experience sourcing cybersecurity solutions, security operations services, cloud security platforms, managed detection and response (MDR), identity management, and enterprise security technologies.

Familiarity with Salesforce, Oracle, PowerBi, DevOps familiarity with AI and other sourcing platforms.

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