Category Manager - Professional Services

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 113,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Collaborative environment

Engage with providers

Growth opportunities

Strategic sourcing scope

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Category Manager - Professional Services to lead sourcing strategy and procurement execution for talent-related categories in a remote role across North America. You will partner with internal stakeholders to understand workforce needs, shape purchasing decisions, and secure high-quality external support at optimal value.

Responsibilities include vendor management, contract negotiation, compliance, and driving cost savings while maintaining low-risk supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience.
• 3+ years managing talent categories such as staffing or consulting.
• Proven success in cost savings and vendor management.
• Deep knowledge of staffing markets and professional services.
• Understanding of HR compliance and employment law.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for talent-related categories.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and staffing partners.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to assess talent needs.
• Conduct market research to inform purchasing decisions.
• Lead procurement activities including vendor selection and contract finalization.
• Negotiate contracts ensuring compliance and risk management.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Procurement

Vendor management

Contract negotiation

Market research

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Category Manager - Professional Services to join the team of a leader in the Media space.

This role will own sourcing strategy and procurement execution for professional services and talent-related categories. You will partner closely with internal stakeholders to understand workforce needs, shape purchasing decisions, and ensure the organization secures high-quality external support at the right value. The position also requires strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and compliance awareness to support effective and low-risk supplier relationships.

Location: Remote

Compensation: $113,000 – $135,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for talent-related categories
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and staffing partners
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to assess talent needs
• Conduct market research to inform purchasing decisions
• Lead procurement activities including vendor selection and contract finalization
• Negotiate contracts ensuring compliance and risk management
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications

• 8+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience
• 3+ years managing talent categories such as staffing and consulting
• Proven success in cost savings and vendor management
• Deep knowledge of staffing markets and professional services
• Understanding of HR compliance and employment law

Benefits

• Remote work flexibility from a home office in North America
• Collaborative environment across diverse teams and geographies
• Opportunity to engage with top-tier external service providers
• Potential for professional growth and development through project leadership
• Ability to shape strategic sourcing strategies at a recognized company

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.