Senior Category Manager, Technology - Procurement

This job is with lululemon, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Description & Requirements

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community were in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

about this team

The Global Procurement team are trusted business advisors who strategically partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to create value and mitigate risk in strategic non-product purchases for the global organization. The team supports the business in increasing its profitability and return on investment by creating value in our indirect supply chain through sourcing and negotiation. From providing category expertise, market insights, cost savings opportunities & developing short and long-term strategies, the Global Procurement team supports the business with their supplier relationships.

core responsibilities

The Senior Category Manager - Procurement for our Technology category supports stakeholders in meeting their business goals and objectives. In partnership with business stakeholders, they are responsible for the development, implementation, management, and performance of sourcing strategies. What youll do:

• Support the development and execution of category plan and associated sourcing strategies for indirect spend across the Technology category.
• Lead and develop team members.
• Support annual Technology sourcing activities - from strategy to contract.
• Support annual productivity improvements in each category of spend by developing and ensuring implementation of ideas to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) for spend categories.
• Bring sourcing efficiency to all activity; define specific roadmaps containing prioritization of sourcing categories and events.
• Build strategic partnerships with internal business leaders to increase Procurement awareness and reach through collaboration to build effective sourcing strategies that leverage the fast pace of the Technology market to achieve business and function specific priorities.
• Link market intelligence and value analytics to sourcing strategy & category plan development.
• Use a collaborative and inclusive approach to deliver against global Technology strategic priorities and translate that strategy into effective and innovative sourcing strategies.
• Continuous learning and understanding of industry and market trends using external and internal resources to inform the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy.
• Contribute to supplier relationship and performance management activities.
• Analyze spend data and other resources to identify value delivery opportunities and uncover additional insights.
• Facilitate the contract management process, liaising with legal counsel to ensure agreements are executed

qualifications

• Required: Bachelor
• Preferred: MBA, SCMP or equivalent professional designation
• 7+ years Procurement experience

• 3+ years Technology category experience
• Core capabilities:
  • Business Relationship: Has oversight of stakeholder issues and drivers. Uses knowledge when building relationships and determining appropriate action on stakeholder input and expectations. Has the ability to handle complex issues. Takes ownership of issues and sees them through resolution while providing guidance and support to other team members.
  • Category management: Develops strategies and buying programs for a range of commodities. Knowledgeable of the geographic, technical and commercial features. Knowledgeable of supply/demand dynamics and industry cost structures and mechanisms.
  • Sourcing: Works independently or facilitates teams to generate creativity in creating options contracting, sourcing, relationships or risk improvement, using the category sourcing frameworks. Validates assumptions and robustness of strategies.
  • Negotiation: Fully comprehends when and how to negotiate. Has successfully conducted an assortment of negotiations to accomplish organization objectives. May lead some strategic and business-critical negotiations. Can adapt negotiation tactics. Ensures the organization has sufficient time to negotiate and that all negotiations result in a signed contract. Is able to change the negotiators internally based on the needs of the specific negotiation.
  • Project management: Manages complex projects, producing multiple project deliverables simultaneously. Uses advanced techniques to manage projects, including control and reporting strategies to monitor changes.

must haves

• Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
• Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
• Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
• Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
• Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesnt take yourself too seriously.

additional notes
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time for this role.

compensation and benefits package

lululemons compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $141,400 - $185,600 annually ; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program and, subject to program eligibility requirements.

At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
• Paid time off
• Savings and retirement plan matching
• Generous employee discount
• Fitness & yoga classes
• Parenthood top-up
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

workplace arrangement

Hybrid

In-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.

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