Category Manager Professional Services

iShare Inc; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

iShare Inc is looking for a Category Manager – Professional Services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving end-to-end sourcing execution and category management for Professional Services spend, including consulting, advisory, and staffing. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in sourcing or procurement, a Bachelor’s Degree, and strong communication and project management skills. Professional certifications are a plus. This role offers opportunities for significant impact in optimizing vendor relationships and spend visibility.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of sourcing/procurement experience with a focus on professional services, consulting, advisory, BPO.
• Proven experience as a Sourcing Specialist, Procurement Specialist, or similar role.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM or PMP Certification are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of category strategies for professional services spend.
• Identify opportunities for rate optimization and vendor consolidation.
• Manage demand pipelines and align sourcing with organizational priorities.
• Execute sourcing engagements across various service providers.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing with suppliers for favorable agreements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to meet sourcing strategy needs.

Skills

Strategic sourcing methodologies

Procurement best practices

Supplier management

Excellent verbal and written communication

Project management

Business analysis

Process analysis

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Category Manager – Professional Services

Category Manager will drive end-to-end sourcing execution and category management for Professional Services spend, including consulting, advisory, IT services, legal, staffing, and BPO. The role combines hands‑on sourcing delivery with category strategy & execution, commercial structuring, and stakeholder engagement to deliver cost, quality, and business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of category strategies for professional services spend
• Identify opportunities for rate optimization, vendor consolidation, and scope rationalization
• Manage demand pipelines and align sourcing with organizational priorities
• Execute sourcing engagements across consulting firms, system integrators, staffing vendors, legal firms, and BPO providers
• Develop and manage rate cards, benchmarking, and pricing frameworks across service providers
• Negotiate resource mix, utilization assumptions, and delivery models (onshore/offshore)
• Manage end-to-end sourcing cycle, understand business needs, perform vendor research to identify potential participants and get contracts signed
• Develop and publish RFP in Ariba
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, evaluate their capabilities, and gather market intelligence for decision‑making
• Lead supplier selection and qualification processes, including issuing RFIs, RFPs, and conducting supplier evaluations and negotiations
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure sourcing strategy meets their needs
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to secure favorable agreements (MSA/SOW) that optimize value while mitigating risks
• Liaise with legal, business, and suppliers to finalize contracts
• Document and analyze supplier responses to ensure they contain valid and detailed information
• Coordinate with various stakeholders (business, procurement, suppliers) for setting up meetings, presentations, and other sessions
• Liaise with business stakeholders, procurement team, and suppliers to ensure timely and successful completion of tasks and activities related to RFx events, NDA management, and contracting
• Partner with business stakeholders, Finance, Legal, and delivery teams to understand requirements and drive sourcing outcomes
• Maintain project plans/trackers for all requests and sourcing events, including timely reporting to all stakeholders
• Track and report savings, cost avoidance, and spend visibility across professional services categories

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years of sourcing/procurement experience with a focus on professional services, consulting, advisory, BPO, etc.
• Proven experience as a Sourcing Specialist, Procurement Specialist, or similar role
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies, procurement best practices, and supplier management
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient project management, business analysis, and process analysis skills
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities

Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification will be a plus.