Senior Category Manager

Overview At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customers’ and partners’ needs and solve their challenges. Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve. You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward‑thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally. Come make an impact every day at Zebra. What We’re Looking For This role of Independent Contributor recognizes category expertise, efficiency, and effectiveness of complex regional to global multi‑project management, demonstrates leadership capabilities, brings an innovation mindset and is an agent of change for the Procurement organization. The Sourcing and Procurement Specialist Senior Advisor is responsible for leveraging their category expertise by working closely with business stakeholders to identify, define and execute key projects that support defined business goals and objectives over a 12‑36‑month horizon. The Senior Advisor will handle multiple highly complex regional to global projects and lend industry and category expertise with other team members. They are a recognized member of the Procurement Leadership team with the expectation to support and drive Zebra and Procurement’s goals. As part of our global supply chain organization, you will experience an environment where our values for innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to making a positive impact come to life. Our customer‑first approach and agility enable us to leverage the creativity of the team to adapt swiftly to challenges and create exceptional value for those we serve. Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of our operations. We drive an operating model and value set where accountability to one another is genuine and executed with consistency, knowing that we succeed as one. Together, we inspire one another, embrace continuous improvement, and make a meaningful impact. Location Role is required to be onsite in Lincolnshire, IL office (Hybrid – Minimum of 3 days in the office per week). Essential Duties and Responsibilities Inspire trust and confidence with executive leadership. Engage with management and stakeholder teams to drive strategic initiatives effectively, balancing the RFx process and the TCO evaluation of suppliers against business stakeholder requirements. Simultaneously manage 8+ highly complex projects, leading all deliverables, analytics, negotiations, and project management details. These projects will span regional to global scope and support strategic priorities. Manage full sourcing process for complex projects, inclusive of supply market analysis, leverage spend, establishing business requirements, negotiating SOWs, contract terms, executing and monitoring contracts, and conducting supplier monitoring. Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop an annual category management plan that incorporates strategy, goals, challenges, constraints, and objectives with a 1‑3 year horizon. Outputs include spend breakdown, strategic sourcing pipeline, process improvements, supplier rationalizations, targeted supplier business reviews, and sourcing levers. Maintain accountability, delivering against timelines, building relationships, and becoming a trusted advisor with business stakeholders, executive management, and suppliers. Perform significant total cost of ownership evaluations, supply‑market research, complex pricing audits, and impact analysis for continuous cost improvements. Work collaboratively with suppliers and stakeholders to identify and execute continuous cost improvement programs and resolve significant and unique strategic supplier performance issues to ensure business satisfaction. Contribute to measuring success, including savings, innovation related to process improvements, improved delivery, and simplified processes. Maintain a high level of product and industry awareness to stay current on best practices, new suppliers, market trends, etc. Manage end‑to‑end Travel Operations to ensure the smooth execution of all aspects of Zebra’s travel and expense program, including communication of new services, training sessions, travel system escalations, reporting, policy exceptions, program audits, and policy development. Key Competencies & Experience Strategic Category Management: Proven track record of developing and executing global multi‑year category strategies for Travel. Procurement & Travel Transformation & Operational Excellence: Demonstrable experience participating in or leading large‑scale procurement and travel transformation initiatives, evolving the function from operational to strategic focus. Strategic Sourcing & Execution: Expertise in managing a portfolio of complex, global sourcing projects, leading cross‑functional teams, and managing project risks and dependencies. Negotiation & Supplier Partnership: History of structuring and leading complex, high‑value negotiations for non‑standard contracts, optimizing total value beyond price. Supplier Relationship Management: Proven ability to develop and manage strategic partnerships with critical suppliers. Stakeholder Influence & Communication: Skilled at building influential relationships with senior and executive‑level stakeholders, delivering data‑driven insights and compelling presentations. Ambiguity Management: Expertise in navigating ambiguous business challenges and translating them into clear, actionable strategies with measurable outcomes. Digital Acumen & AI Application: High proficiency in using data analytics to create compelling business cases and proactively identify opportunities to apply new technologies. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree required. 12+ years of experience. Sourcing/Procurement/Supplier Management experience. Category Management in Travel experience. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree preferred. Experience working with Navan highly desired. Proven work experience in indirect strategic sourcing and supplier management. Excellent communication skills. Project Management experience. Demonstrated ability to interface with all levels of management. Subject matter expert in indirect sourcing and procurement discipline. Ability to lead cross‑function teams collaboratively. Overseeing highly complex issues and applying advanced root cause analysis. Oversees management and strategy of documented processes. Advanced analytical skills. Highly experienced in managing in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment. Ability to identify and manage process improvements, including design of procedures. Spend analytics expertise. Contract compliance knowledge. Supplier segmentation and score‑carding knowledge. Executive presentation experience. Demonstrated leadership skills coupled with a desire for continuous learning & self‑development. Strong proficiency in spreadsheet, presentation, word processing, Oracle iProcurement, Workday Scout, SpendHQ, and Power BI dashboards. Ability to implement new tools to automate business management procedures. Travel Requirement Approximately 10‑15% travel. Equal Opportunity Employer Zebra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Pay Range $156,960.00 – $235,440.00 annual. Incentive Compensation Opportunity to earn a performance‑based annual cash incentive equal to 20% of base pay in accordance with the applicable incentive plan. Zebra Total Rewards Comprehensive benefits including healthcare, wellness, inclusion networks, continued learning and development offerings, community service days, and various insurance and paid time‑off options. Benefits Hybrid work, adaptable hours, Summer Flex Fridays, Focus Fridays, and an annual company‑wide well‑being day. Job Posting Statement Applicants are encouraged to use our official applicant tracking system for applications and to protect against fraudulent postings. AI Technology Statement Zebra Technologies leverages AI technology to evaluate job applications using objective, job‑relevant criteria. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by a human team. #J-18808-Ljbffr