Category Manager

Connect Search, LLC; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription, dental, and vis

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

11 paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Bonus plan

Job summary

Connect Search, LLC is seeking a Category Manager – Indirect Procurement to own category strategy, strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance across assigned indirect spend categories. The role partners with cross-functional stakeholders to identify savings opportunities and ensure P2P policy compliance.

The candidate will lead RFx events, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract execution while maintaining documentation and reporting for internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5–8 years of related professional experience.
• Experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Experience supporting indirect spend categories in a structured procurement environment.
• Proven ability to develop category strategies and execute sourcing initiatives.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with policies.
• Lead sourcing and contracting activities including RFx events, evaluations, negotiations, approvals, supplier selection, and contract execution.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to understand needs, timelines, service expectations, and risks.
• Conduct spend analysis, market research, and total cost analysis to support data-driven sourcing decisions.
• Negotiate commercial and contractual terms in partnership with Legal, Finance, and stakeholders.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance, including KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to drive cost savings, operational efficiencies, and supplier value.
• Reinforce procurement governance and ensure P2P compliance.
• Maintain documentation of sourcing decisions and contracts.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Information Technology, or related field

Tools

Excel

SAP

P2P systems

Job description

The Category Manager – Indirect Procurement will own and execute category strategy, strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier performance management, and stakeholder engagement across assigned indirect spend categories.

This role partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to identify opportunities for savings and value beyond price, maintain service continuity, improve supplier performance, and ensure compliance with enterprise procurement policies and procure-to-pay (P2P) processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives and enterprise procurement policies.
• Lead sourcing and contracting activities, including RFx events, supplier evaluations, negotiations, approvals, supplier selection, and contract execution.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to understand business needs, demand requirements, timelines, service expectations, and potential risks.
• Conduct spend analysis, market research, and total cost analysis to support data-driven sourcing decisions and recommendations.
• Negotiate commercial and contractual terms in partnership with Legal, Finance, and functional stakeholders.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance, including KPIs, service levels, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to drive cost savings, operational efficiencies, supplier value, and improved service.
• Reinforce procurement governance and compliance through the use of preferred suppliers, established approval workflows, and P2P systems.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation related to sourcing decisions, contracts, supplier performance, and procurement activities.
• Serve as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders and external supplier partners.

Additional Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively through email, phone, meetings, and virtual platforms.
• Collaborate across departments to support organizational and procurement goals.
• Participate in and lead cross-functional meetings and initiatives.
• Maintain and analyze procurement and supplier data using tools such as Excel, SAP, and other enterprise systems.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and recommendations for internal stakeholders.
• Ensure data accuracy and confidentiality in accordance with company and legal standards.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Lead or support special projects aligned with procurement and departmental objectives.
• Resolve stakeholder and supplier inquiries with professionalism and discretion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5–8 years of related professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Information Technology, or a related field preferred.
• Progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Experience supporting indirect spend categories within a structured procurement environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing category strategies and executing strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management capabilities.
• Experience with spend analysis, total cost analysis, contracting, and P2P processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple departments and levels of an organization.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will:

• Be Agile: Innovate and adapt quickly, approach change with curiosity, and persist through obstacles.
• Be Customer Centric: Consider the needs, experiences, and feedback of customers in decision-making.
• Be People-Focused: Build trust and collaborate with an inclusive and empathetic approach.
• Be Performance Driven: Operate with an ownership mindset and consistently drive meaningful outcomes.
• Mission & Values Focused: Support the organization’s mission, vision, and core principles through day-to-day decisions and interactions.

The Total Rewards package includes:

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage
• Health spending and savings accounts
• Disability and life insurance
• Company-paid parental and caregiver leave
• Wellness programs and incentives
• Education and adoption assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with auto-enrollment, Roth options, vesting, and eligible matching contributions
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid vacation based on length of service and exempt/non-exempt status
• Sick time based on applicable statutory requirements and employment status
• Additional voluntary benefit programs
• Eligible employees may also participate in an applicable bonus plan