Director, Category Management

Overview Legends Global is the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services that keeps our partners front and center through our white‑label approach. Our network of 450 venues worldwide hosts 20,000 events and entertains 165 million guests each year, powered by expertise across feasibility & consulting, owner’s representation, sales, partnerships, hospitality, merchandise, venue management, and content & booking. Opportunity We are building a centralized Category Management function to transform how Legends Global sources, contracts, and manages the goods and services that power our portfolio of stadiums, arenas, convention centers, theatres, amphitheaters, and attractions. The Director, Category Management – Facilities will own the strategic sourcing lifecycle for all facilities‑related categories across this diverse portfolio. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Own the category lifecycle for Facilities, including MRO (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), janitorial and environmental services, production (rigging, staging, etc.), FF&E, vertical transportation, contingent labor, security and event‑day staffing, utilities and energy, landscaping, fire and life safety, pest control, and more. Develop and execute strategic category plans: market analysis, total cost of ownership modeling, supplier landscape assessment, and savings opportunity identification. Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing events: define specifications, build RFP/RFQ/RFI documents, evaluate supplier responses using weighted scorecards, conduct negotiations, and award contracts. Design category strategies that balance enterprise‑level leverage with venue‑level flexibility, ensuring compliance is earned through value. Monitor category trends, market pricing, regulatory changes, and emerging suppliers. Draft, redline, and negotiate Master Service Agreements and other supplier agreements, structuring for rebate revenue, program fees, and supplier‑funded value‑adds. Ensure contracts contain SLA/KPI frameworks with performance metrics, credit mechanisms, and quarterly business review requirements. Partner with legal counsel to manage risk allocation, indemnification, insurance, force majeure, termination, and assignment provisions. Build trusted relationships with venue General Managers, Directors of Operations, and facilities teams across a geographically dispersed portfolio. Serve as the subject‑matter expert on facilities categories, translating corporate sourcing strategies into practical recommendations. Present category strategies, supplier recommendations, and savings analyses to venue leadership and corporate executives. Navigate venue‑level client relationships, CSAs, and local procurement requirements, including publicly owned venues with government purchasing regulations. Own supplier relationship management for key facilities vendors, conducting quarterly business reviews and annual strategic planning sessions. Establish and monitor supplier performance scorecards tied to contractual SLA/KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement. Create competitive tension across categories via structured market engagement, dual‑sourcing strategies, and periodic re‑bid programs. Manage supplier onboarding, compliance documentation, insurance verification, and diversity spend tracking. Leverage spend analytics across facilities categories by venue, supplier, subcategory, and region using procurement and financial systems. Track and report on savings delivery, rebate capture, contract compliance, and cost avoidance against annual targets. Develop business cases for new sourcing initiatives, quantifying projected savings, implementation timelines, and resource requirements. Support the broader Category Management team’s reporting cadence to Legends Global leadership. Qualifications 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement, with at least 5 years focused on facilities, indirect, or MRO categories. Expertise in writing and negotiating MSAs, service agreements, and multi‑site contracts; able to draft contract language and negotiate commercially and legally sound agreements. Proven track record of conducting formal RFP/RFQ processes from specification development through award, including cross‑functional evaluation, supplier presentations, and post‑award transition management. Strong analytical skills with ability to build spend models, TCO analyses, should‑cost estimates, and savings tracking. Proficiency in Excel required; experience with procurement analytics tools (Coupa, SAP Ariba, Jaggaer, Power BI, Tableau) is a plus. Experience managing categories in a decentralized or matrixed organization where compliance is influence‑based rather than mandate‑driven. Working knowledge of facilities operations in large‑scale commercial, institutional, or venue environments; familiarity with HVAC, janitorial services, elevator/escalator maintenance, production/rigging, event staffing, and building maintenance programs. Experience in or with a Group Purchasing Organization. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Facilities Management, or a related field. Preferred Qualifications Public sector sourcing and contracting experience, including government RFPs, prevailing wage requirements, M/WBE goals, and public disclosure requirements. Sports, entertainment, or hospitality industry experience, understanding operational rhythms of live events. Niche category expertise in production services: rigging, lighting, sound, staging, and related technical production services. Experience with Managed Service Provider or Vendor‑on‑Premise models for contingent labor and staffing in high‑volume, event‑driven environments, and Vendor Management Systems. Professional certifications: CPSM, CSCP, CPM, or equivalent; Facilities management certifications (FMP, CFM, SFP) valued. MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Experience with systems and platforms for facilities maintenance optimization and procurement. Familiarity with energy procurement, demand response programs, and utility deregulation in multi‑state portfolios. Core Competencies Commercial acumen. Influence without authority. Contract craftsmanship. Analytical rigor. Operational empathy. Executive presence. What We Offer Competitive compensation: base salary $150,000–$170,000 plus annual performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical, vision, dental, 401K and paid time off. Working Conditions Hybrid/Onsite based in one of our corporate offices (Dallas/Frisco, TX|New York, NY|Norwalk, CT). Travel 25% to 50% domestic travel to venue sites, supplier facilities, and industry events. Physical Demands Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Note The essential responsibilities of this position are described below the above headings. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Equal Opportunity Employer Legends Global is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor. #J-18808-Ljbffr