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 customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges. What We’re Looking For This role of Independent Contributor recognizes its holder’s category expertise, efficiency and effectiveness in complex regional to global multi‑project management, demonstrates leader capabilities, brings an innovation mindset and is an agent of change for the Procurement organization. The Senior Advisor is responsible for leveraging 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 handles multiple highly complex regional to global projects and lends industry and category expertise to other team members. The Senior Advisor is a recognized member of the Procurement Leadership team with the expectation to support and drive Zebra’s procurement goals and objectives. 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 team and stakeholder team members to drive strategic initiatives, balancing the RFx process and TCO evaluation of suppliers against business stakeholders’ requirements and supplier preferences. Simultaneously manage 8+ highly complex projects, leading deliverables, analytics, negotiations and project details. Projects span regional to global scope and typically impact multiple functions. Manage full sourcing process for the most complex projects – including supply market analysis, leveraging 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 with a 1‑3 year horizon, including spend breakdown, sourcing pipeline, process improvements, supplier rationalizations, targeted reviews and sourcing levers. Maintain accountability, deliver against timelines, build relationships and become a trusted advisor with stakeholders, executive management and suppliers. Perform total cost of ownership evaluations, conduct supply‑market research and complex pricing audits for continuous cost improvements. Work collaboratively with suppliers and stakeholders to identify and execute continuous cost improvement programs and resolve significant supplier performance issues. Contribute to measuring success, including savings, process improvement innovation, improved delivery and simplified processes. Maintain industry awareness of best practices, new suppliers and market trends. 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, system escalations, reporting and policy exceptions. Key Competencies & Experience Strategic Category Management – proven track record of developing and executing global multi‑year category strategies for Travel. Procurement & Travel Transformation – experience in leading large‑scale procurement & travel transformation initiatives. Strategic Sourcing & Execution – expertise in managing a portfolio of complex, global sourcing projects simultaneously. Negotiation & Supplier Partnership – history of structuring and leading complex, high‑value negotiations and contract management. Supplier Relationship Management – ability to develop strategic partnerships and joint governance initiatives. Stakeholder Influence & Communication – building influential relationships with senior stakeholders and delivering data‑driven insights. Ambiguity Management – navigating business challenges and translating them into actionable strategies. Digital Acumen & AI Application – proficiency in data analytics and evaluating 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 with Navan highly desired. Indirect Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management experience. Excellent communication skills. Project Management experience. Interfacing with all levels of management and managing stakeholder issues. Subject matter expertise in Indirect Sourcing & Procurement. Leading cross‑functional teams collaboratively. Overseeing complex issues and performing root cause analysis. Documented process management and strategy. Advanced analytical skills. Experience managing high‑growth, rapidly changing environment. Process improvement design. Spend Analysis, Contract Compliance, Supplier segmentation, Executive presentation. Strong proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Oracle iProcurement, Workday Scout, SpendHQ or similar, build/manage Power BI dashboards. Implementing new tools to automate business management procedures. Travel Requirement Approximately 10‑15%. 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 and protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at View email address on click.appcast.io. Pay Range $156,960.00 – $235,440.00 Annual. Incentive Compensation In addition to base pay, Zebra offers this role the opportunity to earn a performance‑based annual cash incentive, at a target equal to 20% of base pay. Zebra Total Rewards Benefits include healthcare, wellness, inclusion networks, continued learning and development, community service days, insurance plans, compensation, parental leave, employee assistance program and paid time off, with location‑specific offerings. Benefits Work‑life balance and wellbeing support through hybrid work, adaptable hours, Summer Flex Fridays, Focus Fridays and an annual company‑wide well‑being day. #J-18808-Ljbffr