Category Manager – Professional Services (Consulting, HR & Corporate Services)

Confidential; New Jersey; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced procurement professional to lead strategic sourcing and category management across Consulting and HR services in New Jersey. You will partner with business stakeholders, drive sourcing initiatives, negotiate commercial agreements, and deliver measurable value across key spend areas.

You will manage RFPs, supplier evaluations, and contract awards, while building strong relationships with stakeholders and ensuring governance with Legal, Finance and Risk

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead sourcing events, RFPs, and supplier negotiations.
• Experience managing consulting or professional services providers.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for Consulting and HR services.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing projects, including RFPs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and awards.
• Source and manage consulting engagements and professional services providers.
• Conduct market, supplier and commercial analysis to support decisions.
• Negotiate pricing, rate cards, SOWs, MSAs, and contractual terms.
• Build relationships and provide procurement guidance to business teams.
• Manage supplier performance and identify cost savings opportunities.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, HR, and Risk to ensure governance.

Skills

Procurement

Strategic Sourcing

Category Management

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Presentation Skills

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

We are seeking an experienced procurement professional to lead strategic sourcing and category management activities across Professional Services, with a focus on Consulting & HR. The successful candidate will partner with business stakeholders, drive sourcing initiatives, negotiate commercial agreements, and deliver measurable value across key spend areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for Consulting and HR.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing projects, including RFPs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Source and manage consulting engagements, professional services providers.
• Conduct market, supplier, and commercial analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Negotiate pricing, rate cards, SOWs, MSAs, and contractual terms.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and provide procurement guidance to business teams.
• Manage supplier performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and value creation.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, HR, and Risk teams to ensure compliance and governance.

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, or Category Management.
• Strong experience sourcing and managing:
• Consulting Services
• HR Services
• Proven track record leading sourcing events and commercial negotiations.
• Experience managing consulting firms and professional services providers.
• Strong stakeholder management, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience within large, complex, or multinational organizations preferred.
• Excellent PowerPoint, Presentation and communication skills.

Ideal Candidate

• Deep expertise in Professional Services procurement.
• Experience sourcing consulting projects and professional services engagements.
• Commercially driven, analytical, and confident influencing senior stakeholders.
• Able to manage multiple sourcing initiatives in a fast-paced environment.