Category Management Analyst

The Fountain Group; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fountain Group is seeking a Category Management Analyst in Foster City on a hybrid schedule (onsite 3 days/week). The role focuses on supporting category strategies across Research & Product Development procurement categories, including lab supplies and equipment, with emphasis on data-driven decision making.

You will analyze spend, generate market intelligence, support sourcing initiatives, and operationalize procurement strategies to deliver value across cost, quality, service, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field
• 3–6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, analytics, or supply chain
• Strong analytical and data management skills (Excel, Power BI, etc.)
• Experience working with large datasets and generating insights
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy Support: Compile and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to support category strategies
• Spend & Data Management: Manage and analyze spend data across multiple categories to identify trends and opportunities
• Sourcing & Execution: Support sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, negotiations) with Category Managers
• Supplier Management Support: Support supplier segmentation and performance tracking
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with Category Managers and business stakeholders to support demand management and execution
• Operational Excellence: Drive adoption of procurement processes, tools, and best practices

Skills

Data analysis

Procurement

Spend analytics

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Pay: $51.23/Hour

Duration: 12+ months

Onsite / Hybrid Position in Foster City (3 days/week)

Job Title: Category Management Analyst

Profile Summary

• A data-driven, execution-focused procurement professional who enables Category Managers by translating complex spend, supplier, and market data into actionable insights and operational execution.
• They act as the engine room of category management, ensuring strategies are grounded in data, implemented consistently, and scaled across categories.

Typical Background

3–6 years in:

• Procurement / Strategic Sourcing
• Supply Chain / Operations
• Consulting (operations / sourcing)
• Experience in life sciences, biotech, pharma, or lab environment strongly preferred

Exposure to categories such as:

• Research services (CROs)
• Chemicals / reagents
• Lab supplies & equipment

Comfortable supporting multiple categories simultaneously

• Can operate in ambiguity and fast-moving portfolio reviews
• Understands value beyond savings (service, quality, supply continuity)
• Thinks in terms of category strategy enablement, not just transactions

Role Summary

• The Category Management Analyst supports the development and execution of category strategies across a portfolio of Research & Product Development Procurement categories, including research services, biologics, chemicals, reagents, lab supplies, and lab equipment.
• This role partners closely with Category Managers to analyze spend, generate market intelligence, support sourcing initiatives, and operationalize procurement strategies to deliver value across cost, quality, service, and innovation.
• This is a high-impact, high-visibility role supporting a large and complex spend portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy Support

• Compile and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to support category strategies
• Develop category profiles, including supply market insights, supplier segmentation, and demand patterns
• Identify cost optimization, standardization, and supplier consolidation opportunities

Spend & Data Management

• Manage and analyze spend data across multiple categories to identify trends and opportunities
• Ensure accurate spend classification and data integrity to enable portfolio-level decision making
• Build forecasts and track savings, value delivery, and pipeline initiatives

Sourcing & Execution

• Support execution of sourcing events (RFPs, RFIs, negotiations) in partnership with Category Managers
• Develop recommendation materials and business cases
• Track sourcing pipeline and ensure execution against timelines

Supplier Management Support

• Support supplier segmentation and performance tracking
• Assist in supplier rationalization and relationship management activities
• Maintain supplier data, contracts, and performance metrics

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Category Managers and business stakeholders to support demand management and execution
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives with scientists, lab operations, and finance teams
• Help ensure a consistent, high-quality procurement experience

Operational Excellence

• Drive adoption of procurement processes, tools, and best practices
• Support catalog enablement, SOP development, and process standardization
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field
• 3–6 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, analytics, or supply chain
• Strong analytical and data management skills (Excel, Power BI, etc.)
• Experience working with large datasets and generating insights
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred

• Experience in life sciences / biotech / pharma procurement

Familiarity with:

• CRO / research services sourcing
• Lab consumables or equipment
• Supplier management practices
• Experience supporting category strategies or sourcing programs