Category Manager, Technology - Indirect Procurement

lululemon; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Paid time off

Retirement matching

Employee discount

Fitness classes

Parenthood top-up

Development courses

Mentorship programs

Job summary

lululemon is seeking a Category Manager in the Seattle area to partner with stakeholders, drive end-to-end sourcing, and manage supplier relationships. You will apply advanced data analysis, lead competitive sourcing and negotiations, and help execute the annual category strategy.

You will support the Procurement Leadership Team, surface opportunities and risks, and work across sub-categories to improve total cost of ownership. This hybrid role requires onsite collaboration several days a week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree is required.
• MBA or SCMP preferred.
• 5+ years indirect procurement experience.
• 2+ years technology category management experience.
• Experience running complex RFP processes end to end.
• Strong PC skills; knowledge of P2P systems a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of category strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Contribute market intelligence and value analytics for sourcing strategies.
• Lead annual productivity improvements and optimize total cost of ownership.
• Define roadmaps to prioritize categories and sourcing events.
• Build partnerships with business leaders to execute sourcing initiatives.
• Support strategic sourcing events and supplier negotiations.
• Analyze spend data to identify value opportunities and insights.
• Facilitate contract management with Legal to ensure timely execution.

Skills

Relationship building

Category management

Sourcing

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor

MBA or SCMP

Tools

Microsoft Office

Coupa/Oracle

Job description

about this team

The Global Procurement team are trusted business advisors who strategically partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to create value and mitigate risk in strategic non-product purchases for the global organization. The team supports the business in increasing its profitability and return on investment by creating value in our indirect supply chain through strategic & stakeholder-centric procurement. From providing category expertise, market insights, cost savings opportunities, supplier performance and relationship management & developing short and long-term strategies, the Global Procurement team plays a key role in value delivery for our business.

Requirements

Description & Requirements

about this team

The Global Procurement team are trusted business advisors who strategically partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to create value and mitigate risk in strategic non-product purchases for the global organization. The team supports the business in increasing its profitability and return on investment by creating value in our indirect supply chain through strategic & stakeholder-centric procurement. From providing category expertise, market insights, cost savings opportunities, supplier performance and relationship management & developing short and long-term strategies, the Global Procurement team plays a key role in value delivery for our business.

About This Role

Reporting to the Senior Director, Procurement for the Tech category, the Category Manager partners with stakeholders to advance their business goals and priorities. You will apply advanced data analysis, lead competitive sourcing and negotiations, manage suppliers, and drive end-to-end project execution. You will also support the Procurement Leadership Team in delivering the annual category strategy and proactively surface opportunities and risks that may impact those objectives.

Core Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of category strategies through a collaborative, inclusive approach that aligns to business and enterprise priorities.
• Contribute market intelligence and value analytics to inform sourcing strategies and category planning.
• Drive annual productivity improvements by identifying and implementing opportunities to optimize total cost of ownership across assigned sub-categories.
• Increase sourcing efficiency by defining clear roadmaps that prioritize categories and sourcing events.
• Build strong partnerships with business leaders to execute sourcing initiatives that meet functional priorities and elevate Global Procurement’s impact.
• Support strategic sourcing events and supplier negotiations, with opportunities to lead as experience grows.
• Analyze spend and other data sources to identify value opportunities and generate actionable insights.
• Facilitate the contract management process and partner with Legal to ensure timely, accurate execution of agreements.
• Manage and maintain tools and processes used to plan, track, and execute strategic sourcing activities.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor
• Preferred: MBA, SCMP or equivalent professional designation
• 5+ years Indirect Procurement experience
• 2+ years Technology Category Management experience
• Must be experienced in running complex RFP processes end to end
• Excellent PC skills (Microsoft Office), knowledge of P2P (Coupa)/Oracle a plus.
• Core capabilities:
• Relationship building: Effectively builds partnerships by understanding stakeholder needs and expectations. Navigates complex issues, takes ownership through resolution, and provides guidance and support to team members.
• Category management: Develops and executes strategies across a range of categories. Demonstrates strong knowledge of market dynamics, commercial structures, cost drivers, and industry trends.
• Sourcing: Independently develops creative contracting and sourcing options using established category frameworks. Validates assumptions and ensures sourcing strategies are sound and actionable.
• Negotiation: Understands when and how to negotiate effectively. Has led a range of negotiations that advance organizational goals and adapts tactics to different situations.
• Project management: Leads complex projects and manages multiple deliverables concurrently. Uses tools and techniques to track progress, manage risks, and proactively communicate changes.
• We have 1 open role. This is the posting for USA reflecting people eligible to work out of our Seattle office

must haves

• Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
• Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
• Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
• Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
• Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously.

Additional Notes

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time for this role.

Compensation And Benefits Package

lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and teamperformance. Thetypical hiring range for this position is from $112,000 - $147,000 annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program and, subject to program eligibility requirements.

At Lululemon, Investing In Our People Is a Top Priority. We Believe That When Life Works, Work Works. We Strive To Be The Place Where Inclusive Leaders Come To Develop And Enable All To Be Well. Recognizing Our Teams For Their Performance And Dedication, Other Components Of Our Total Rewards Offerings Include Support Of Career Development, Wellbeing, And Personal Growth

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
• Paid time off
• Savings and retirement plan matching
• Generous employee discount
• Fitness & yoga classes
• Parenthood top-up
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

workplace arrangement

Hybrid

In-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.