Category Manager II

Crown Castle International; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Crown Castle International is seeking a Category Manager II to lead regional sourcing strategies for construction programs, collaborating with stakeholders to drive cost savings and ensure contractor compliance.

The role emphasizes RFx execution, contract negotiations, and cross‑functional alignment in a hybrid work environment with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, or related field.
• Two+ years of procurement or strategic/category management experience.
• Construction procurement knowledge preferred but not required.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage portfolio of Small Cell and Fiber projects from sourcing to cost savings tracking.
• Conduct RFx events (Coupa) and present sourcing recommendations to leadership.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers including terms and pricing.
• Ensure procurement compliance with Legal and governmental requirements.
• Develop strategic sourcing strategies for Regional/Market teams.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic sourcing

Communication

Project management

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's Degree in business/economics/finance/logistics

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Position Title: Category Manager II (P2)

Company Summary

Crown Castle is the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure: towers, small cells and fiber. It all works together to meet unprecedented demand—connecting people and communities and transforming the way we do business. Whenever you make a call, track a workout or stream music and videos, we’re the ones providing the communications infrastructure that makes it all possible. From 5G and the internet of things to drones, autonomous vehicles and AR/VR, we enable the technologies that help people stay safe, connected and ready for the future. Crown Castle is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (CCI), is part of the S&P 500 and is one of the largest Real Estate Investment Trusts in the US. We offer a total benefits package and professional growth development for teammates in any stage of their career. Along with caring for our teammates, we’re an active member in the communities where we live, work and do business. We have a responsibility to give back, which we do through our Connected by Good program. Giving back allows us to improve public spaces where people connect, promote public safety and advance access to education and technology.

Role

The Regional Strategic Sourcing Category Manager position is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for Regional construction programs to realize cost savings and to ensure an adequate supply of construction contractor resources to support the construction objectives of the Network organization. This includes collaboration with internal stakeholders, defining and running sourcing events through Coupa, analysis of pricing data, negotiating with contractors for favorable pricing and terms as well as driving Supply Chain goals and initiatives in a manner consistent with Crown Castle values. This role also has the responsibility of managing the day-to-day relationship with our contractors to ensure they are compliant with requirements of the contractor.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of Small Cell and Fiber projects from strategic evaluation to sourcing, negotiation, award, contract execution and cost savings tracking.
• Report supplier spend, contract, and market analysis for various Service categories.
• Conduct RFx events (through Coupa), prepare bid analysis, present sourcing recommendations to leadership.
• Analyze and calculate procurement costs and develop cost reduction strategies.
• Drive purchasing decisions based on cost, contractor resource availability, scenario analysis and market trends.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers including unit costs, discounts, terms of service and quality/performance criteria.
• Manage all new and existing contracts in conjunction with Vendor Management and Legal, suppliers, and deliver performance results.
• Ensure procurement compliance within company, Legal, and governmental requirements.
• Working with legal counsel to ensure that all contracts relating to service delivery contain all details of the negotiation.
• Develop strategic sourcing strategies for Regional/Market teams that do not have sourcing processes or strategies.
• Drive stakeholder alignment by communicating effectively with partners on key objectives, scopes of work, SOVs/IMNs and supplier performance expectations.
• Develop partnerships with all cross‑functional areas including Network I&O team, Product Management, Finance, Legal, Risk and Supply Chain teams.
• Identify new opportunities and drive results to support productivity and cost savings goals.
• Drive risk management and business continuity planning with internal stakeholders.
• Use Supply Chain best practices when developing and implementing process improvements or system controls.
• Support new suppliers during the onboarding process.
• Lead change management when establishing new sourcing programs and drive on‑going evaluations to ensure savings and supply.
• Monitor contractor performance and manage issue resolution / escalation process.
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships by serving as a single point of contact for contractual matters for area of responsibility.
• Manage record keeping for all contract‑related correspondence and documentation.
• Provide contract‑related issue resolution, both internally and externally.
• Monitor and complete contract close‑out, extension or renewal, as appropriate.
• Communicate contract‑related information to all stakeholders.

Expectations

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group, executives, managers, and subject matter experts.
• A thorough understanding of supply chain sourcing methodologies.
• Ability to establish and maintain priorities to complete assignments by deadlines.
• Ability to analyze data sets and create pivots or formulas, as needed, for recommendations, reporting and review.
• Develop and monitor strategy implementation and contract compliance for key spend categories.
• Track performance within each spend category and define impact.
• Uphold internal and external policies, regulations, and laws.
• Proactively identify and act on problems before issues occur.
• Provide creative solutions to business problems.
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities with good financial acumen.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated organization and Project Management skills.
• Proficient with MS Office suite and other work‑related software.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams & SharePoint.
• Excellent time‑management and organizational skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to teach and train peers on process.
• Ability to be agile and adjust priorities with changing needs of the business.
• Willingness to travel to develop, promote, and maintain strategic sourcing relationships.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, or in a related field. (Master’s Degree Preferred)

Experience/Minimum Requirements

• Two plus (2+) years of procurement experience in a related industry or Supply Chain (previous strategic/category management experience preferred).
• Outside Plant / Inside Plant / Venue Construction knowledge preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate large deals & contracts.

Organizational Relationship

Reports to: Director, Area Supply Chain Operations
Title(s) of direct reports (if applicable): N/A

Working Conditions

This role falls into our hybrid work model working in the office on Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, teammates on the hybrid schedule will have the option to work from the office or home. There is an expectation of collaboration with teammates and stakeholders for moments that matter that could require travel.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)