Business Partnership and Category Manager

Google; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 136,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Google Procurement Organization (GPO) seeks a seasoned Category Manager to drive indirect spend strategies across Product Areas and Functions. You will serve as a trusted advisor, bridging business needs with procurement expertise to unlock maximum value for Google.

Lead category strategies, RFx processes, negotiations, and supplier evaluations, while building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related field.
• 7 years of experience in sourcing, category management, or procurement roles, with a focus on managing indirect spend categories.
• Experience with contracts and management within the category, ensuring compliance with legal and company standards, and experience in partnering with contracting teams and cross-functional partners.
• Experience in creating category strategies, executing sourcing strategies, RFx processes, negotiations, and supplier evaluations within designated categories.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between the Global Procurement Organization (GPO) and Product Areas/Business Functions, aligning business requirements with regional and global procurement objectives.
• Partner with cross-pillar teams to assess requirements, evaluate demand forecasts, and execute category and sourcing strategies for indirect spend.
• Lead RFx execution, commercial negotiations, and comprehensive supplier evaluations to deliver optimal procurement solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure quality service delivery and operational alignment.
• Establish clear communication channels to address business concerns proactively and resolve supplier performance issues effectively.

Skills

Sourcing expertise

Category management

Procurement

Contract management

RFx processes

Supplier evaluations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree / certifications in Procurement or SCM

Tools

Procurement analytics tools

Job description

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Chicago, IL, USA; Sunnyvale, CA, USA.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7 years of experience in sourcing, category management, or procurement roles, with a focus on managing indirect spend categories.
• Experience with contracts (i.e., drafting, review, etc.) and management within the category, ensuring compliance with legal and company standards, and experience in partnering with contracting teams and cross-functional partners.
• Experience in creating category strategies, executing sourcing strategies, RFx processes, negotiations, and supplier evaluations within designated categories.

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree or certifications in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Experience in developing/managing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure category performance and track progress towards strategic goals.
• Experience leveraging technology and analytical tools to enhance category management practices and drive data-driven decision‑making.
• Proficiency in analyzing procurement data, generating reports, and providing insights to support decision‑making and performance evaluation within the category.
• Project management skills and ability to lead strategic projects or initiatives aimed at improving procurement processes, implementing new strategies, or driving innovation within the category.

About The Job

In the Google Procurement Organization (GPO), our aim is to unlock the value for Google to reinvest in what matters most. We do this by bringing velocity, efficiency, and security to buying at Google, while partnering deeply across Google to deliver solutions fit for purpose. As a centralized organization operating in a high complexity environment, we bring "one voice" to stakeholders and suppliers to ensure the best outcomes. Our organization fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation while providing opportunities for ongoing career growth and development.

Within the Google Procurement Organization, the Category Management team partners closely with key stakeholders to help shape and implement procurement strategies. The Category Team is responsible for developing and driving holistic category strategies, managing stakeholder relationships, and bringing excellence to Google‑wide sourcing, supplier, and contract management.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to Google’s Product Areas (PAs) and Functions, collaborating closely to ensure that Global Procurement Organization (GPO) strategies are seamlessly aligned with their specific business goals. By bridging business‑unit needs with procurement expertise, you will pioneer innovative category and sourcing strategies, cultivate strategic supplier relationships, and leverage data‑driven insights to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and maximum value across Google.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $136000 - $196000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Global Procurement Organization (GPO) and Product Areas/Business Functions, aligning business requirements with regional and global procurement objectives.
• Partner with cross‑pillar teams to assess requirements, evaluate demand forecasts, and execute category and sourcing strategies for indirect spend.
• Lead RFx execution, commercial negotiations, and comprehensive supplier evaluations to deliver optimal procurement solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure quality service delivery and operational alignment.
• Establish clear communication channels to address business concerns proactively and resolve supplier performance issues effectively.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .