Senior Category Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Category Manager to help lead our procurement transformation and support large-scale hospitality and live event operations. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for developing and executing cross-event category strategies, building supplier ecosystems, and delivering innovative sourcing solutions that elevate the guest and client experience.

As a Senior Category Manager, you will own the vision and roadmap for your assigned category (or cluster of related categories), identifying opportunities to consolidate spend, optimize supplier performance, and leverage scale across multiple event types. You will partner closely with Event Leads to translate event requirements into actionable sourcing plans that meet timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.

This role is ideal for someone who excels in a fast-paced, complex environment, enjoys leading teams, and thrives on driving measurable value through strategy, creativity, and strong supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy
• Build and maintain sourcing strategies for all assigned categories
• Design and execute wave plans that align to business commercial goals
• Identify, define, and implement value levers for cross-event sourcing
• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiations
• Conduct major competitive bid events
• Negotiate MSAs, SOWs, and SLAs, implementing rate cards, rebates, volume discounts, etc. to maximize value to OLE and rights holder partners
• Supplier Management
• Own and execute supplier management for assigned categories in alignment with the overarching OLE supplier management program
• Conduct QBRs, drive corrective actions, and implement innovation programs
• Event Coordination
• Coordinate with Event Leads/Production on demand planning, requirements, timelines, unique regulations and constraints, etc.
• Ensure readiness and continuity for all events
• Financial Value Delivery
• Build savings and value pipeline in pursuit of high-level commercial goals
• Track all value realization and prepare for leadership reporting/updates
• Standards & Playbooks
• Create and update category playbooks that guide management and strategy
• Develop preferred supplier portfolios
• Technology & Data
• Ensure proper usage of all procurement-related tools and company systems
• Own all project data tracking recognizing procurement data standards
• Risk Mitigation
• Identify, mitigate, and create contingency plans for all category risks
• Team Leadership & Development
• Manage and mentor Category Managers, providing coaching, performance feedback, and capability development
• Set clear goals and expectations, ensuring consistent execution

Qualifications

• Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field
• 7+ years of procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, or supply chain experience
• Demonstrated experience developing category strategies and leading complex negotiations
• Strong interpersonal skills with experience influencing cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority projects with tight deadlines
• Experience managing suppliers, resolving performance issues, and running QBRs
• Proficiency in procurement technology (E-sourcing, CLM, P2P), analytics tools, and AI; strong Excel skills
• Preferred
• Experience in hospitality, live events, entertainment, sports, or professional services procurement
• Prior experience leading teams or mentoring junior procurement staff
• Knowledge of contract structures and risk management frameworks
• Experience implementing category management frameworks in a growing or transforming organization

Why Join Us

• Lead strategy for high-impact categories that directly influence the guest experience
• Contribute to a major procurement transformation with executive visibility
• Work with an energized team reshaping the way we source and deliver event excellence
• Opportunities for career growth across category leadership, procurement strategy, and broader operations

Work Pattern & Travel

• Travel to key events, suppliers, and markets as needed