IT Category Manager

It Category Manager

A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions transforms safety, security, and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 100 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth.

The UL Certification Marks serve as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflect an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future.

We believe in the possibility and promise of innovation, and we have spent more than a century enabling it to be safely adopted. From the adoption of electrification to the enablement of 5G and new mobility, we collectively look toward new frontiers, working for a safer world. Our science is your advantage.

Specialties: Testing, Certification, Auditing, Advisory and Education, Validation, Inspection, Sustainability, Cybersecurity, Building Performance, Connected Technologies, Anti-counterfeiting, Functional Safety, risk management, Analytics, Data Intelligence, circular economy, supply chain transparency, supply network intelligence, and human factors engineering

Location: Onsite 3 days/week in Northbrook, IL - 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062

Duration: Contract – 3 months to start with good potential to extend

The IT Category Manager is responsible for the strategic sourcing of Enterprise Technology by actively engaging with various Technology/Business leaders and suppliers of hardware, software and managed services to effectively and efficiently meet business requirements.

The leader in this role drives multi-year, multi-million-dollar SaaS licensing negotiations, monitors/maintains hardware arrangements, IT Professional Services in alignment with our technology roadmap.

Lead and manage the global technology procurement category portfolio including all enterprise software (e.g., on premise, cloud, SaaS etc.), hardware, communications platforms and managed services, IT Professional Services

Responsible for all aspects of IT sourcing processes through the lifecycle of RFx, negotiations and execution of legal agreements for new, renewal or extension cycles of licensed products and services – inclusive of supporting necessary governance approvals and business case development

Develop, maintain and expand key supplier relationships to deliver high levels of service while maintaining best-in-class commercial terms and conditions; manage preferred supplier selection and review processes; rationalize suppliers and consolidate buying power to simplify supplier ecosystem

Build and enhance relationships with key business stakeholders in COUs / Segments, IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity and other areas within the UL enterprise to engage strategic sourcing throughout the process and be a trusted advisor to the business

Lead key sourcing initiatives as needed, achieving best value within acceptable risk. (e.g., deliver process improvements / toolset implementation)

Ensure Global Sourcing policy adherence and enforcement across the UL Solutions enterprise

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Information Technology or related field

5+ years of experience in developing and executing category strategies in IT Sourcing software, hardware and IT Professional Services.

CPM/CPSM or PMP certification a plus

Prior experience with negotiating with Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft and ServiceNow preferred.

Prior experience with negotiating with IT contracting and consulting firms (e.g., Infosys, Accenture) preferred.

Effective communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills with a focus on collaboration and partnerships across the organization.

This person will have direct interaction with C-suite leadership. Comfortable independently interacting with and presenting to senior leadership including C-level executives.

Experienced sourcing practitioner, understanding of best-practice sourcing methodology and a demonstrated track record of working ethically and collaboratively to achieve excellent outcomes.

Knowledge of standard commercial contracting practices and procedures. Proven track record of delivering significant and sustainable cost reductions through effective development and execution of sourcing strategy.

Ability to take a hands-on approach to analyze and interpret spend data is support of sourcing initiatives and UL business objectives.

Solves complex problems independently and takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.

Strong process management, organizational and effective time management skills.