Category Manager

Hydrogen UK Ltd; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Hydrogen UK Ltd. in San Diego, CA seeks a Category Manager to own a portfolio of cross‑functional spend categories, driving cost reduction strategies, supplier negotiations, and TCO savings across multiple sourcing projects.

The ideal candidate is a senior contracting contributor with strong RFP experience, capable of engaging stakeholders across the business, Legal, Risk, and Senior Management.

Qualifications

• Senior‑level contracting contributor with experience drafting, negotiating, assembling, and strategizing contracts and RFPs.
• Ability to speak with business stakeholders, Legal, Risk, and Senior Management.
• Detail‑oriented with strong negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in Ariba or ability to learn the Ariba system.

Responsibilities

• Manage portfolio spend and develop cost reduction strategies.
• Conduct market analyses and identify short- and long‑term sourcing opportunities.
• Provide risk/benefit analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Lead supplier evaluations, negotiations, and change management efforts.
• Drive cost reduction programs and TCO savings across projects.
• Oversee category processes and establish contracts for strategic purchases.

Skills

RFP negotiations

Stakeholder communication

Ariba

Contracting

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

CPM certification a plus

Tools

Ariba

eProcurement

Job description

Category Manager

Location: San Diego, CA (4 days onsite / 1 day WFH)
Schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Duration: 2-year contract (possible conversion to FTE)
Pay Range: $70–$80/hr

Summary

Our client is seeking a Category Manager to join their Purchasing department in San Diego, CA. This role owns a portfolio of cross‑functional spend categories, driving cost reduction strategies, supplier negotiations, and total cost of ownership savings across multiple concurrent sourcing projects. The ideal candidate is a senior contracting contributor with strong RFP and negotiation experience who is comfortable engaging stakeholders across the business, Legal, Risk, and Senior Management.

Job Responsibilities

In this role, you will manage and support a variety of strategic sourcing and category management initiatives within the Purchasing department. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing portfolio spend and developing cost reduction strategies
• Conducting rigorous market analyses and recommending short- and long‑term sourcing opportunities
• Providing risk/benefit analysis to support sourcing decisions
• Leading and facilitating supplier evaluations, negotiations, and change management efforts
• Managing cost reduction programs and transactional activities to drive total cost of ownership savings and enhanced service levels

Essential Job Duties and Job Functions

• Oversee a portfolio of cross‑functional categories with multiple concurrent projects
• Manage cross‑functional teams to execute category‑specific sourcing strategies, including development of requirements
• Develop market intelligence for the assigned category portfolio, including supplier capabilities, competitive landscape, market trends, and factors impacting cost, price, and availability
• Track and report on category portfolio performance and manage any portfolio modifications
• Develop project plans for relatively complex sourcing projects
• Establish or support the establishment of contracts for strategic purchases and large spot buys when no existing contract is in place
• Develop and sustain processes and procedures for efficient sourcing and procurement
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders and the Manager of Purchasing to identify and achieve category goals

Knowledge and Skills

• Senior‑level contracting contributor with experience drafting, negotiating, assembling, and strategizing contracts and RFPs
• Customer‑focused, with the ability to speak and interact with business stakeholders, Legal, Risk, and Senior Management personnel
• Detail‑oriented
• Proficiency in Ariba, or ability to quickly learn the Ariba system
• Demonstrated success leading project teams to achieve quantifiable savings through various sourcing methods
• Strong project management skills and results‑oriented approach
• First‑hand working knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology
• Knowledge of eProcurement and eSourcing systems a plus
• Category content knowledge in Travel, IT, Facilities, and Marketing preferred
• Strong negotiation experience with excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required (Business or related field); MBA strongly preferred
• 4–8 years of strategic sourcing or supply chain‑related experience with a major company preferred
• Insurance industry experience preferred; Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) certification a plus
• Level III: 5–8 years of experience