Category Manager

Checkr; Denver, San Francisco (CO, CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Learning & development allowance

Cash & equity compensation

Flexible PTO

Fertility/parental planning stipend

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Checkr is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to lead end-to-end procurement for designated categories, negotiate contracts, and optimize vendor performance. You will partner with stakeholders to align strategies with business goals and drive cost savings across the organization.

You will influence procurement direction, lead negotiations with vendors, and stay ahead of industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of procurement and strategic sourcing work experience.
• Experience influencing strategy and achieving measurable results.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in fast-paced environments.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and complex initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement for assigned categories including sourcing, negotiation, and vendor management.
• Develop and implement strategies to drive cost savings and optimize vendor performance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align procurement with organizational goals.
• Lead complex contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and drive savings.
• Facilitate RFX processes to ensure transparency and competitiveness.
• Stay informed on industry trends and AI advancements to identify opportunities.
• Create and present reports with actionable insights for decision-makers.

Skills

Procurement experience

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiations

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Leadership of initiatives

Job description

About Checkr

Checkr is building the data platform to power safe and fair decisions. Over 140,000 companies and millions of people rely on Checkr for AI verification in the moments that matter most: getting a new job, a new place to live, a car ride, childcare, even a date. Customers include Uber, Pennymac, Airbnb, Doordash, and Anthropic.

We’re a team that thrives on solving complex problems with innovative solutions that advance our mission. Checkr is recognized on Forbes Cloud 100 2025 List and is a Y Combinator 2024 Breakthrough Company .

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, the Procurement Category Manager will be a critical part of a growing Procurement Team andplay an important role in partnering with our stakeholders and vendors to deliver a best-in-class procurement experience. A successful Procurement Category Manager will be knowledgeable about procurement and strategic sourcing principles and skilled at leading contract negotiations. The individual will be organized, flexible, able to meet time-sensitive deadlines and embrace learning in a fast-paced environment.

What you’ll do

• Manage the end-to-end procurement process for assigned categories, including sourcing, contract negotiation, and vendor relationship management.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies for designated categories that drive cost savings and cost avoidance while optimizing vendor performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with organizational goals and act as the primary liaison between stakeholders and vendors.
• Lead complex contract negotiations to secure favorable terms, drive cost savings, and ensure alignment with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Facilitate RFX processes to ensure transparency and competitiveness in vendor selection.
• Stay informed on industry trends and technological advancements, especially in AI, to identify new vendor opportunities and drive innovation.
• Create and present reports for supported areas, providing actionable insights to guide informed decision-making for stakeholders.

What you bring

• 7+ years of procurement and strategic sourcing-related work experience, with strong knowledge across the entire lifecycle of strategic sourcing and corporate procurement activities, including sourcing strategies, RFX development & analysis, vendor selection, and contract negotiations.
• Proven experience influencing strategy, driving decision-making, and achieving measurable results.
• Solid communication, strategic thinking, and presentation skills, with the ability to work and communicate effectively in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, judgment, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to lead complex initiatives and manage cross-functional teams.
• An A-player mindset with a strong bias for action: you raise the bar, move with urgency, stay resilient through ambiguity, and take ownership to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Pay Transparency Disclosure

We use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop ranges for our roles and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. If this role is remote, we have listed the top to the bottom of the possible range, but we will specify the target range for an exact location when you are selected for a recruiting discussion. For more information on our compensation philosophy, see our website.

On-target Earnings OR Base Salary range (San Francisco, CA)

$151,000 - $178,000 USD

On-target Earnings OR Base Salary range (Denver, CO)

$128,000 - $151,000 USD

What We Offer

• A fast-paced and collaborative environment
• Learning and development allowance
• Competitive cash and equity compensation, and opportunity for advancement
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Up to $25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services
• Flexible PTO policy
• Monthly wellness stipend

At Checkr, we believe an in office work environment strengthens collaboration, drives innovation, and encourages connection. Our hub locations are Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Nashville, TN; and Santiago, Chile. Individuals are expected to work from the office 3+ days a week. In-office perks are provided, such as lunch five times a week, a commuter stipend, and an abundance of snacks and beverages. A relocation stipend may be available for those willing to relocate to a Checkr hub location.

Equal Employment Opportunities at Checkr

Checkr is committed to building the best product and company, which requires hiring talented and qualified individuals with a diverse set of perspectives and lived experiences. Checkr believes in hiring people of all backgrounds, including those whose histories are impacted by the justice system in accordance with local, state, and/or federal laws, including the San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance.

Applicant Privacy Policy

If you are a California resident or are located in Alberta or British Columbia, our Applicant Privacy Policy applies to our collection and processing of your personal information when you apply for a role with us or otherwise participate in our recruitment process.

For applicants in Massachusetts:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.