Strategic Sourcing Partner I

Category Manager

The Category Manager is an individual contributor who is responsible for executing sourcing strategies as well as managing technology sourcing software renewals and projects within the technology stack. This individual will negotiate, administer, and manage the full range of commercial contracts focusing on Software, SaaS, and generative AI needs. The Category Manager will also manage the relationships between strategic software suppliers and key business stakeholders through day-to-day interactions, while achieving cost-effective procurement decisions for the company. This position will be located in San Francisco, CA, Indianapolis, ID, Bellevue, WA or a remote US location reporting into the Director of Software on the Technology Sourcing Team.

Performance Objectives:

• Direct and implement software related supplier-sourcing strategies to ensure high quality, on time delivery, and cost competitiveness.
• Good strong understanding of business contract law, and experience with negotiating contracts for the licensing of software; both (SaaS, conventional, and public cloud marketplace).
• Documented results with implementing standard procurement best practices, building strong relationships with internal customers and suppliers, and consulting on procurement best practices for cross-functional project teams.
• Strong analytic skills including: Reporting detailed spend and usage trends, supplier performance metrics, savings, and improvement opportunities, etc.
• Utilize RFI (Request for Information), RFP (Request for Proposal), and RFQ (Request for Quote) techniques to identify, select, and engage with suppliers to ensure competitive market advantage.
• Implement proactive procurement philosophies, strategies, policies, procedures, and systems - Supplier onboarding, purchase order management and project management
• Merger and Acquisition experience - Implement integration efforts related M&A activity for software categories
• Influence cross-functional organizations while enhancing strong internal relationships in order to meet business requirements and cost objectives.
• Generative AI technology experience - understand how GenAI is sold, procured and managed