Sourcing Category Manager

Aspen Technology, Inc.; Medina; On-site; USD 104,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Category Manager to enhance their global procurement strategy. This role involves developing innovative sourcing initiatives, managing supplier relationships, and collaborating with an international team to drive cost savings and operational efficiency. With a focus on strategic sourcing, the ideal candidate will leverage strong analytical skills and industry knowledge to deliver value across the organization. Join a forward-thinking company that values passion and innovation, and take your career to the next level in a collaborative environment that fosters growth and creativity.

Benefits

Paid Time Off

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Charitable Giveback Day

Qualifications

• 5+ years in procurement with focus on strategic sourcing.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category-specific strategies for sourcing.
• Lead supplier selection process and manage supplier relationships.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Negotiation

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM)

Tools

Procurement Software

ERP Systems

Microsoft Excel

Coupa

Oracle

PowerBI

Job description

The driving force behind our success has always been the people of AspenTech. What drives us is our aspiration, desire, and ambition to continually improve, overcome hurdles, and challenge the status quo to find better solutions. You will experience these qualities—passion, pride, and aspiration—in many ways, from career development programs to community service projects and social events that foster fun and relationship building across our global community.

The Role

AspenTech Global Procurement is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Category Manager to join our team. The Category Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives within categories, managing supplier relationships, and collaborating with the Director of Global Procurement to optimize procurement processes, achieve cost savings, improve operational efficiency, and maintain robust governance and controls. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement and strategic sourcing, with a focus on delivering value across the organization. Experience working with an internationally distributed team and a passion for innovation are a plus.

Your Impact

• Develop and implement category-specific strategies to optimize sourcing, cost savings, and supplier performance.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess capabilities, and evaluate their suitability for the company's needs.
• Lead the supplier selection process, including RFP/RFQ development, bid evaluation, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Lead sourcing events and projects, collaborating with international team members to support these initiatives.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring adherence to quality, delivery, and service level agreements.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate supplier performance, identifying opportunities for improvement and managing supplier risk.
• Become a trusted partner to internal departments, collaborating to identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
• Stay curious about industry trends, emerging tools, and best practices. Explore innovative ideas to ensure AspenTech's procurement strategy remains competitive and relevant.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) are preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, focusing on strategic sourcing and category management.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings and process improvements through strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications, especially Coupa, Oracle, PowerBI, and Excel. Experience with GenAI tools is a plus.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, legal and regulatory requirements, and industry trends.
• If you are a results-driven professional passionate about delivering value, driving change, and thinking outside the box, we encourage you to apply.

#LI-DW1

The salary range for this role is $104,400.00 - $130,500.00. This range reflects our good faith estimate of the base compensation for this role at the time of posting. Final pay may vary based on factors such as experience and location. The role is also eligible for bonus or variable incentive pay. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, a charitable giveback day, medical/dental/vision insurance, and retirement benefits for eligible employees.