Sr. Manager, Category Manager, Information Technology

Sr. Manager, Category Manager, Information Technology

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

Required:

• Bachelor's degree required in supply chain, finance, project management, or related field.
• 8-10+ years of experience in progressive IT category management/strategic sourcing experience, including leadership of large, complex technology negotiations and cross-enterprise programs.
• Deep expertise across enterprise technology procurement including software licensing, SaaS, cloud, telecom, managed services, and technology professional services.
• Strong understanding of software licensing models, cloud economics, consumption-based pricing, and IT supplier commercial frameworks.
• Demonstrated executive communication and storytelling skills; track record influencing VP/C-suite decisions.
• Expert fluency in benchmarking, TCO, complex contracting, commercial strategy, and supplier performance governance at scale.
• Expert analytical skills with working knowledge of procure-to-pay, RFx processes, and contract basics/playbooks.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (MBA or Master's) strongly preferred in supply chain, finance, project management, or related field.
• 10-12+ years of experience in progressive category management/strategic sourcing experience, including leadership of large, complex negotiations and cross-enterprise programs.
• Experience working within highly regulated, manufacturing, mobility, automotive, industrial technology, or engineering-driven environments preferred.
• Experience leading transformation (operating model, digital S2P, supplier ecosystem) across multiple regions.
• Certifications:
  
  CPSM/CIPS; PMP/Prosci or equivalent change credentials;
  Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Domain depth in one or more enterprise functions (e.g., HR, IT, Finance, Professional Services, Facilities/CRE).
• Experience in large, global enterprise with exposure to both indirect (corporate) and direct (client-facing) procurement models.
• Recent/…