Lead Category Manager - Network Construction

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today.

The Role

The Lead Category Manager oversees the strategy, sourcing, negotiation, and contracting of highly complex services and products associated with the engineering, construction, splicing, maintenance and repair of the Lumen fiber network. The Lead Category Manager is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with the business objectives and optimize the value and performance of the suppliers. This position monitors market trends, analyzes spend data, defines category and negotiation strategies, identifies risks and opportunities, promotes diversity and sustainability, and manages critical supplier relationships and performance. As a Lead Category Manager, this position is expected to play a high-level role in developing innovative strategies, ensuring execution of highly visible initiatives, and leading the organization’s most complex categories.

Work Location

This is a work from home position within the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

Category analysis & monitoring

• Conduct internal & external analysis of category (e.g., spend at sub-category, supplier & BU level; market conditions with supply/demand, should-cost modeling) — coordinate with internal Reporting & Analytics to leverage off-the-shelf analytics.

• Track changes in supplier landscape, market dynamics, & innovation opportunities within category.

• Ensure category spend across all business segments is represented.

• Prepare content for and lead strategy discussions at the VP level and above.

Category strategy & planning

• Incorporate findings from analyses into annual category strategy plan, in addition to business unit goals & budget targets.

• Identify and pursue levers to drive savings via RFPs, negotiations, demand management, value engineering, etc.

Contracting

• Manage high-complexity contracts and assist with "handing off" tactical contracts to Contracting Excellence team.

• Utilize pre-approved supplier contracts based on spend threshold / risk with standardized legal terms.

RFX strategy & planning

• Develop RFX strategy within category to drive savings.

• Manage high-complexity RFX events, work with the RFX Execution team to handle tactical execution.

Stakeholder relationship management

• Use 'seat at the table' with the business to align on strategic agenda & understand upcoming needs.

• Establish defined calendar for key meetings to track progress / drive issue resolution in category (e.g., part of staff meetings, conduct monthly / quarterly planning sessions, Engage cross-functional team on budget targets).

Supplier relationship management

• Own relationships as primary point of contact for suppliers inside your category, including orchestrating interactions & preparing with business stakeholders on supplier communications beforehand (e.g., annual target setting, QBRs on performance & SLAs, joint initiative pursuits).

• Manage/monitor supplier performance on a regular basis; provides constructive feedback to the supplier for continuous improvement.

• Identify strategic suppliers & tier into segments based on spend, business criticality, and market dynamics that need to be tracked closely by procurement.

• Identify situations where Lumen has limited suppliers in a key category or has multiple suppliers that are impacted by the same risk factors and identify alternatives.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Bachelor's degree and or relevant experience

• Minimum 8 plus years of related experience

• Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal and communications skills useful for managing senior level internal relationships, and complex suppliers.

• Experience overseeing supplier relationships for an assigned set of products and/or services including regular supplier performance reviews and discussions.

• Proven background in negotiating high complexity, and high dollar contract negotiations in a fast paced environment.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; self-motivated; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to process large amounts of often complex data; detail oriented.

• Intermediate to advanced professional experience in reviewing contract terms

• Strong to expert knowledge of procurement systems such as SAP and Ariba.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, high visibility environment with frequently shifting priorities.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, intermediate to advanced Excel

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges

$132,232 - $176,310 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY

$138,844 - $185,124 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$145,456 - $193,940 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process.

Learn more about Lumen's:

Benefits (

Bonus Structure

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Requisition #: 342372

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page ( . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Privacy Notice

Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.

To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit:

Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.