Category Manager (Technology)

AEP; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

AEP in Columbus, OH is seeking a Category Manager-Technology to lead sourcing, contracting, and supplier management for enterprise software and tech services. You will collaborate with business and technology leaders to drive investments, value, and risk mitigation in alignment with architecture and cybersecurity goals.

The role requires 8+ years of relevant experience or equivalent education paths, with a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Experience with technology and professional service suppliers.
• Partner with business/tech leaders to anticipate demand and manage technology investments.
• Experience with supplier governance, category planning and risk management.
• Experience managing IT and OT category across a large multi-state organization.
• Strong change management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier management of software, SaaS, digital solutions, and technology services.
• Partner with business and technology leaders to evaluate and negotiate technology investments.
• Drive value, mitigate risk, and align with architecture, cybersecurity, and financial objectives.
• Develop strategies with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Business Units to achieve savings.
• Report progress to Business Unit leadership and manage supplier relationships.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Technology procurement

SaaS & software licensing

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Category planning

IT/OT category management

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Associate's degree in related field

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

## Category Manager (Technology)Apply: Columbus, OH: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 18, 2026 (10 days left to apply): R19903**Job Posting End Date**10-18-2026Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.**Job Summary**Act as lead for assigned Procurement projects and sourcing categories. Oversee the specific projects and sourcing categories by providing leadership to team members in a variety of strategic areas including sourcing, procurement, contracts, supplier relationship management, inventory management and material standardization. Highly advanced level of knowledge and responsibility for developing, negotiating, executing and maintaining strategic sourcing agreements for specific categories for the procurement of materials, equipment and/or services used by AEP internal customers. This position will identify cost reduction opportunities and capture real Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings (direct or indirect) by aggregating sourcing volumes. This position’s primary responsibility is to manage project-driven sourcing activities for a variety of market baskets that are normally associated with high-spend, high-impact, and often complex categories across multiple business unit stakeholders. Develop and implement strategies to achieve corporate savings goals. Establish effective relationships and work collaboratively with Business Unit customers, and suppliers to maintain customer satisfaction. Interface with Business Unit leadership to report ongoing progress to goals. Champion new initiatives that will support shared business objectives, support the business unit partner's needs, and enable the company to efficiently operate in a competitive and changing environment. Strategies will be developed in a collaborative effort between Supply Chain, Procurement, and the various Business Units and Operating Companies impacted by the program. Ensure corporate spend and savings goals are incorporated into the sourcing strategy and contracts. Develop and manage metrics/measurements to record the progress and actions related to the program processes.**Job Description**Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do! **Category Manager-Technology** **What You'll Do:** Responsible for the strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier management of enterprise software, SaaS, digital solutions, and technology services. Partners with business leaders and technology teams to evaluate, negotiate, and manage technology investments while driving commercial value, mitigating risk, supporting operational and customer-facing technology initiatives, and ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, regulatory, and financial objectives. **Qualifications, Skills, and Experience*** Experience working with technology and professional service suppliers.* Experience partnering with business and technology leaders to anticipate demand, develop sourcing strategies and manage technology investments.* Experience with supplier relationships, governance and category planning to deliver value, manage risk and supporting enterprise technology roadmaps.* Experience managing an IT and OT category across a large, multi-state organization.* Strong change management and stakeholder engagement capabilities. **What We're Looking For:** **Education & Experience** Bachelor's degree in related field of study + 8 years of relevant work experience. (Or) In lieu of Bachelor’s degree must possess an Associate’s degree in related field of study, and a minimum of 9 years of relevant work experience. (Or) In lieu of Associate’s degree must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent, and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience.**What You'll Get:** **Expected Salary Range:** $117,000.00-$127,000.00/Yr. (USD) *In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.***Compensation Data****Compensation Grade:**SP20-009**Compensation Range:**$116,255.00 - $151,132.50The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.