Category Manager - Software

DSJ Global; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

DSJ Global in Chicago seeks a Software Category Manager to join the Global Procurement team, driving sourcing strategies across enterprise software, SaaS, and productivity tools.

You will partner with technology, finance, legal, and business stakeholders to optimize supplier relationships, manage renewals and licensing, and deliver measurable value in a growing software portfolio.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technology procurement, strategic sourcing, vendor management, or category management experience.
• Background sourcing enterprise software, SaaS, business applications, productivity tools, or technology services.
• Experience managing complex sourcing projects from business requirements through contract execution.
• Strong understanding of software commercial models including subscriptions, enterprise agreements, renewals, true-ups, licensing optimization, and consumption-based pricing.
• Proven ability to negotiate favorable commercial outcomes with software providers and resellers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute software category strategies in partnership with business and technology stakeholders.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
• Build commercial evaluation models and support contract negotiation strategies.
• Negotiate software agreements, pricing structures, licensing models, renewals, SLAs, and commercial terms.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, performance reviews, service levels, and escalation processes.
• Partner with stakeholders to optimize licensing, software consumption, and total cost of ownership.
• Monitor market trends, vendor pricing models, software licensing changes, and supplier risk.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams to align sourcing strategies and supplier frameworks across regions.
• Contribute to category playbooks, sourcing best practices, and commercial intelligence initiatives.

Skills

Software procurement

SaaS sourcing

Vendor management

Contract negotiation

Total cost of ownership

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

A technology-driven global organization is seeking a Software Category Manager to join its Global Procurement team. This is a highly visible individual contributor role responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across enterprise software, SaaS, productivity tools, collaboration platforms, and broader technology software spend.

The role partners closely with technology, business, finance, legal, and procurement stakeholders to optimize supplier relationships, manage renewals and licensing strategies, and drive measurable commercial value across a rapidly growing software portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute software category strategies in partnership with business and technology stakeholders
• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs
• Build commercial evaluation models and support contract negotiation strategies
• Negotiate software agreements, pricing structures, licensing models, renewals, SLAs, and commercial terms
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, performance reviews, service levels, and escalation processes
• Partner with stakeholders to optimize licensing, software consumption, and total cost of ownership
• Monitor market trends, vendor pricing models, software licensing changes, and supplier risk
• Collaborate with global procurement teams to align sourcing strategies and supplier frameworks across regions
• Contribute to category playbooks, sourcing best practices, and commercial intelligence initiatives

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technology procurement, strategic sourcing, vendor management, or category management experience
• Background sourcing enterprise software, SaaS, business applications, productivity tools, or technology services
• Experience managing complex sourcing projects from business requirements through contract execution
• Strong understanding of software commercial models including subscriptions, enterprise agreements, renewals, true-ups, licensing optimization, and consumption-based pricing
• Proven ability to negotiate favorable commercial outcomes with software providers and resellers
• Strong analytical, financial, and negotiation skills, including experience with TCO and commercial analysis
• Ability to partner effectively with technology, procurement, finance, and business stakeholders in a global environment
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify technical and commercial concepts for diverse audiences
• Experience supporting software asset management, SaaS lifecycle management, or license optimization initiatives is highly valued

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to own and influence a rapidly growing software spend category
• Exposure to complex enterprise software negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives
• Significant collaboration with technology and business leadership teams
• Global scope with visibility across multiple regions and stakeholder groups
• Competitive compensation package, annual bonus, strong benefits, generous PTO, and a collaborative, high-performance environment