Category Manager II, III, Sr (IT Solutions)

Williams-Sonoma; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive program

Hybrid work for most roles

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Williams Companies is seeking a Category Manager, IT Solutions in Houston to drive strategic category plans across technology spend including software, hardware, cloud services, and cybersecurity. You will partner with IT leadership, Finance, Legal, and stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with priorities.

You will lead supplier and market analysis, support negotiations, optimize spend, and improve value while reducing risk to support the company's long-term tech roadmap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or technology field; minimum of seven (7) years' diversified supply chain experience
• Preferred: Certification from ISM or APICS; minimum of nine (9) years' diversified supply chain experience
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; safety as top priority

Responsibilities

• Interprets business challenges and recommends standard category strategies
• Collaborates with business partners to develop supplier and category strategies
• Develops and leads cross-functional supplier qualification and management processes
• Builds KPIs for supplier performance reviews
• Identifies strategic supplier partnerships to optimize costs and resources
• Develops and maintains category and subcategory structures
• Negotiates and implements contract terms and conditions
• Conducts spend analysis and develops measurable supplier management and risk mitigation processes
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Category management

Supplier management

Negotiation

Spend analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Market intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or technology field

ISM or APICS certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Williams, we're powering a cleaner, more connected future, and that starts with you. Here, your work fuels communities, drives innovation, and helps deliver reliable energy the world depends on. Join a Fortune 500 team that invests in your growth, values your contributions, and challenges you to make a lasting impact every day.

This role will place you at the intersection of business strategy, supplier management, and technology advancement. You will leverage your strong commercial mindset, market intelligence, and proactive approach to identify opportunities that create value for the organization.

As the Category Manager, IT Solutions , you will develop and execute strategic category plans across technology-related spend, including software, hardware, cloud services, subscriptions, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and managed services. You will partner closely with IT leadership, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with organizational priorities. In this role, you will lead supplier and market analysis, support negotiations, optimize spend, manage supplier performance, and identify opportunities to improve value, reduce risk, and advance Williams' long-term technology roadmap.

You will play a critical role in ensuring Williams' technology ecosystem remains secure, innovative, cost-effective, and well-positioned to support the company's future growth and operational objectives.

Responsibilities/Expectations:

• Interprets business challenges and recommends standard methodologies/strategies to improve category, processes or services
• Collaborates with business partners to develop comprehensive supplier and category strategies
• Develops and leads cross-functional supplier qualification and management processes
• Builds Key Performance Indicators for supplier performance reviews
• Identifies and establishes strategic supplier partnerships to handle costs and optimize resources
• Develops and maintains category and subcategory structures
• Negotiates and implements contract terms and conditions
• Conducts spend analysis and develops measurable supplier management and risk mitigation processes
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Years of Experience:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or technology field; minimum of seven (7) year's experience handling a diversified supply chain environment
• Preferred: Certification from Institute of Supplier Management (ISM) or American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS); minimum of nine (9) year's experience handling a diversified supply chain environment

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrates excellent organizational/interpersonal skills and safety as the utmost priority
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Application and PC skills
• Experience working in a cross-functional environment
• Demonstrates conceptual and practical expertise in category and supplier management
• Demonstrates materials planning experience

#LI-KM2

Why Houston?

Big career opportunities in one of the world's energy capitals, endless food spots and a diverse vibe-all without paying NYC or LA prices. Work hard, live better. Check out Houston.org to learn more.

We invest in our people in ways that actually show up in your day-to-day, not just on paper.

Here's a look at what that means:

• Strong pay plus an annual incentive program
• Hybrid work for most office roles, plus real flexibility in many field positions
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options that fit your life, not the other way around
• 401(k) with company match and an annual company contribution
• Paid time off, including company and floating holidays
• Paid parental leave (up to six weeks per parent), plus fertility and adoption support
• Advanced AI tools and resources to help level up and work smarter
• Clear paths to grow your career, with a strong culture of promoting from within
• Tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education
• HSA and FSA options
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Domestic partner benefits
• Employee resource groups, wellness support, paid volunteer time, and company matching for causes you care about

Eligibility and benefits are governed by the terms of the applicable plan or program document which can be amended or terminated at any time.

For more information, please visit Total Rewards | Williams Companies .

Williams is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected under applicable discrimination law.

Education Requirements:

Skill Requirem