Senior Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Title: IT Category Manager

Location: San Jose, CA (Monday-Thursday onsite, Friday remote)

Compensation: $60 - $65 an hour on W2

Duration: 6 months contract

IT Category Manager

Role Overview

The IT Category Manager at Cadence leads sourcing and procurement for IT hardware, software, and services, including servers, laptops, software tools, and data center support. This role partners closely with R&D engineering, IT, and business teams to deliver cost savings, reduce risk, and ensure reliable supplier performance that supports IT and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and procurement for IT categories supporting engineering and enterprise needs
• Develop and execute category strategies to optimize cost, quality, service, and risk
• Partner with R&D, IT, and cross-functional stakeholders to define requirements and specifications
• Conduct supplier evaluations, competitive sourcing, and contract negotiations
• Manage supplier relationships, performance, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive measurable savings, cost avoidance, and value creation
• Monitor market trends and benchmark pricing to inform sourcing decisions
• Ensure compliance with Cadence procurement policies and processes
• Support efficient Procure-to-pay workflows, including purchase request (PR) creation and physical delivery tracking
• Improve visibility and accuracy across procurement and goods receipt processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field
• 5+ years of sourcing or procurement experience, with strong exposure to IT categories
• Proven experience negotiating contracts and managing suppliers
• Strong business judgment and ability to balance cost, risk, and operational needs
• Experience in sourcing IT hardware, software, SaaS
• Experience supporting technical or engineering stakeholders
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience with procurement systems and sourcing tools

Preferred Experience

• Experience sourcing software, hardware, or data center services in a high-tech environment
• Familiarity with software licensing models and supplier agreements
• Track record of delivering cost savings and supplier performance improvements

What Success Looks Like

• Seamless support for engineering and IT procurement needs
• Improved supplier performance and reduced risk
• Consistent delivery of savings and cost efficiency
• Strong stakeholder satisfaction and partnership

The mission of netPolarity is to be a leading full-service global supplier of workforce procurement solutions. We empower and enrich the lives of everyone we touch by “bridging the gap” between world class organizations and contingent workers.

Our vision is building a brand based on integrity, reliability, quality and professionalism; and to be the first supplier that clients think of when the best talent is needed as well as the employer of choice for contingent workers. Our name is synonymous with the best service offerings in the industry.

What We Stand For
netPolarity is built on a set of everlasting concrete values. We pride ourselves on exceeding both our clients’ and our contingent workers’ expectations, without ever compromising our core beliefs. Here are the values and commitments that we proudly stand by.

Integrity
We deliver what we promise. There is nothing more important to us than our word. Our reputation speaks for itself.

Ethics
We commit to maintaining the highest ethical standard in a

Company Description

The mission of netPolarity is to be a leading full-service global supplier of workforce procurement solutions. We empower and enrich the lives of everyone we touch by “bridging the gap” between world class organizations and contingent workers.\r\n\r\nOur vision is building a brand based on integrity, reliability, quality and professionalism; and to be the first supplier that clients think of when the best talent is needed as well as the employer of choice for contingent workers. Our name is synonymous with the best service offerings in the industry.\r\n\r\nWhat We Stand For\r\nnetPolarity is built on a set of everlasting concrete values. We pride ourselves on exceeding both our clients’ and our contingent workers’ expectations, without ever compromising our core beliefs. Here are the values and commitments that we proudly stand by.\r\n\r\nIntegrity\r\nWe deliver what we promise. There is nothing more important to us than our word. Our reputation speaks for itself.\r\n\r\nEthics \r\nWe commit to maintaining the highest ethical standard in a