Category Manager

Procurement ProfessionalLocation: Onsite 5 days/week in Northbrook, IL - 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062Overview:Client is looking for a procurement professional with deep experience in corporate services, marketing, communications, software, and professional advisory vendors.This role requires someone who can manage complex vendor relationships across multiple functions, lead end-to-end RFPs, and bring structure to a fast-moving environment.Individual should act as a "Project Sourcing Manager" having core knowledge of sourcing capital equipment and collaborate with cross functional partners. Contract negotiation is a must-have skill.Responsibilities:Develop, negotiate, and manage MSAs, SOWs, and licensing agreements across corporate service categories.Lead RFPs and vendor negotiations for Marketing, HR, Finance, Legal, Communications, and software/advisory partners.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align priorities, budgets, and business requirements.Partner with internal Legal, Cybersecurity, and Compliance to ensure smooth vendor onboarding and contract execution.Drive process improvements within procurement to ensure efficiency, compliance, and visibility of spend.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree required.5-10 years of procurement/vendor management experience with exposure to Enterprise Software, Marketing, HR, Legal, or Finance categories.Demonstrated success leading vendor and contract negotiations and end-to-end RFPs.Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management skills to work across teams, stakeholders, and vendors.Detail-oriented and comfortable managing complex, multi-stage projects.Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, lean team environment with competing priorities.Required Skills: Vendor Relations, Purchasing / Procurement