Category Manager - Information Technology (Indirect Procurement)

Job Summary

Join our dynamic team to execute and implement effective procurement and sourcing strategies in the Information Technology (IT) category. This role involves managing approximately $50-100M in spend across various IT services, peripherals, hardware, software, telecom, and other categories. Develop both short-term and long-term strategies to align with company goals, reduce costs, and meet financial expectations. Continuously improve purchasing practices by leading efforts to consolidate category spend, manage supplier performance, mitigate risk, and reduce costs.

Essential Duties

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of the Technology category and translate that knowledge into actionable outcomes. Be a value-add advisor for the Technology team.
• Develop a comprehensive Technology strategic sourcing plan, including RFIs and RFPs, business requirements collection, supplier communication, criteria selection, and supplier negotiations with cross-functional teams.
• Execute sourcing strategies that support business objectives, improve supplier quality, enhance service levels, and reduce risk.
• Maintain a pipeline of key initiatives to drive savings opportunities.
• Streamline business processes and add value by researching and sharing industry trends and best practices.
• Develop negotiation strategies, gain stakeholder alignment, lead negotiation teams, and implement supplier risk analysis. Directly negotiate with suppliers.
• Use spend data and business knowledge to identify sourcing projects and develop an overall plan.
• Manage category performance by adhering to savings goals and reviewing financial spend.
• Forge close working relationships throughout the company at all levels.
• Drive supplier performance improvements.
• Prepare business cases, including ROI models, and effectively present cost savings proposals for approval.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, legal and financial requirements, and supplier quality reviews.
• Act as a consultant to internal partners in the overall procurement process.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in IT procurement/sourcing category management in a large, multi-national company.
• Experience managing and supporting a similar scope and breadth of IT spend.
• Demonstrated sourcing experience leading RFx’s and managing sourcing categories for indirect spend.
• Proficient in standard sourcing and category management concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Proven critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Experience negotiating and executing contracts that deliver value for the business.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a continuous improvement environment.

Skills

• Outstanding verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, process, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks without direct supervision.
• Keen eye for detail and ability to provide insights based on market conditions and trends.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to develop and execute negotiation strategies.
• Proficient in Client Office Suite and working knowledge of SAP PR/PO process.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to interact with diplomacy and tact while maintaining assertiveness.
• Proven ability to persuade and influence decision-making.
• Ability to prioritize well and maintain balance in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead and be a team player.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• CPSM, CPM, CPP, CPIM, or other designation preferred but not required.

Location

Lakewood, Colorado - (Hybrid) or Remote.

Physical Requirements

• Typical office environment requirements include reading, speaking, hearing, close vision, walking, bending, sitting, and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Compensation

Target Pay Range: $110,500.00 to $138,200.00 - Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Target Bonus on Base: 10.0%