Senior Manager, Category Manager, Information Technology AZ_Mesa_HQ

Senior Manager, Category Manager, Information Technology

Job Summary

This person is expected to influence technology strategy and understand both commercial and technical dimensions of the IT procurement environment. This individual must be experienced and comfortable in working with CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, enterprise architects, and global technology/software and services providers. This role serves as the strategic procurement lead for enterprise Information Technology spend categories including software, SaaS, cloud infrastructure, telecommunications, managed services, hardware, cybersecurity, engineering systems, and digital transformation initiatives.

The IT Category manager partners closely with CIO/IT leadership, Information Security, Enterprise Architecture, Data Privacy, Legal, and Finance teams to optimize technology investments, manage supplier risk, and support scalable enterprise technology strategies.

More generally, the Senior Category Manager role is an experienced category management practitioner accountable for architecting and selling enterprise-wide strategies, orchestrating large and complex transformations, and communicating at the executive level. Leads multi-year value creation agendas, major negotiations, and supplier partnerships that deliver innovation, resilience, and measurable business outcomes across the enterprise.

This individual will also lead or oversee complex enterprise-level RFx and negotiations and stakeholder communications. Partners with senior and executive team members in transformation efforts. Works cross-functionally to manage contract pipelines and align sourcing and category plans with business objectives. Maintains procurement governance and systems data in accordance with the above. May lead, coach, or mentor strategic sourcing and entry-level procurement professionals in support of the category plan.

Partners with finance, accounting, legal, and IT governance to deliver measurable value and risk mitigation.

This role requires relevant market insight, cross-functional collaboration, and proactive stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate is a trusted procurement advisor and collaborative partner who champions supplier excellence, procurement governance and continuous improvement through clear communication, operational excellence, and strategic influence.

Position Overview:

• Owns a complex, high‑spend IT category (or portfolio) with global scope and enterprise impact.
• Influences IT leaders and enterprise technology roadmaps; presents recommendations and status at leadership forums.
• Supports enterprise digital transformation initiatives through sourcing and contracting strategies aligned to cybersecurity, infrastructure modernization, cloud adoption, AI enablement, and operational scalability.
• Leads cross‑functional project teams and external partners to deliver multi‑year roadmaps and operating model changes.
• Primary procurement voice with senior/executive stakeholders; presents at executive committees.
• Shapes policy, standards, and governance; mentors and develops the category talent bench.
• Ensures category plans reflect stakeholder goals, market dynamics, and supplier capabilities.
• Champions adoption of preferred suppliers, standards, and policies across the business.
• Leverages analysis to shape strategic insights and market intelligence frameworks that inform category strategy, RFx prioritization, supplier negotiations, and contract terms.
• Scrutinizes variable and complex data to identify and prioritize sourcing and planning opportunities that drive competitive advantage and long‑term value.
• Leads sourcing waves and supplier business reviews; accountable for savings and value realization.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy & Value Creation

• Craft and socialize a bold, evidence‑based multi‑year category strategy tied to enterprise goals (growth, productivity, risk, ESG) in key IT spend domains including:
  • Software and SaaS
  • Cloud Infrastructure (IaaS/PaaS)
  • Telecommunications and networking
  • Managed services and outsourcing
  • Cybersecurity
  • End‑user computing and hardware
  • Enterprise applications and platforms
• Drive optimization initiatives related to software license…