Procurement Category Manager

About the Role

This role owns category strategy and strategic sourcing for one of the most complex procurement programmes in sport. In the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it shapes how the organisation buys the goods and services that bring the Games to life, building category plans, running competitive sourcing events and turning supply chain data into decisions. The position partners across the organisation to meet demand responsibly, control cost and safeguard delivery, creating a procurement foundation for Games time. Its category strategies and risk planning directly enable the delivery of a seamless Games and a stronger procurement legacy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies grounded in market analysis, internal demand signals and supplier capabilities.
• Lead the end-to-end strategic sourcing process, including RFIs, RFQs and RFPs, across assigned categories.
• Analyse supply chain data to surface trends, track key performance indicators, and target cost savings and process improvements.
• Partner with internal stakeholders across departments to understand procurement needs and provide expert, hands-on sourcing guidance.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to protect the successful, on-time delivery of the Games.
• Perform other duties as required, with the role evolving over time and potentially including operational responsibilities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, finance or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or category management on complex, deadline-driven programmes.
• Proven experience in supply chain data analysis, with the ability to translate complex, high-volume data sets into clear, actionable insights.
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and contract management skills, applied across a broad and diverse supplier base.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building trusted relationships at every level to shape and facilitate business outcomes.

Preferred Skills

• Professional certification such as CPSM or CSCP.
• Experience with enterprise procurement systems, ERP platforms and data visualisation tools.
• Background in the sports, events or entertainment industry.
• Skill in influencing multiple stakeholders and suppliers across concurrent sourcing events.

Workplace

• On-site role based in the Downtown Los Angeles office; candidates based outside the Los Angeles area are welcome to apply if able to work on-site in LA.
• No relocation assistance is provided for any positions.
• Majority of work is conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods using computers, phones and other office equipment.
• Office is an open floorplan environment; employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.
• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends and holidays, especially during peak event periods.

Salary

• Pay scale is the range LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for the role; final compensation is subject to determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28's operational business needs and applicable law.

Benefits & Perks

• Chance to build procurement for a once-in-a-generation Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Collaborative, values-driven culture grounded in co-creation, inclusion and integrity.
• Meaningful, high-impact work with a lasting legacy for Los Angeles and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
• Professional growth alongside a diverse, world-class team building something new.

The Application Process

LA28 is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will work with candidates who require an accommodation at any stage. Applications are assessed based on relevant skills, education and experience a candidate can add to the team.

About the Company

LA28 offers the chance to build procurement for a once-in-a-generation Olympic and Paralympic Games. It has a collaborative, values-driven culture grounded in co-creation, inclusion and integrity, and offers meaningful, high-impact work with a lasting legacy for Los Angeles and the Movement. Employees can expect professional growth alongside a diverse, world-class team building something entirely new.