Category Manager-Technology Services

EXL; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

EXL seeks a Category Manager to drive end-to-end sourcing and category management across enterprise technology spend, including cloud hyperscalers, data platforms, and AI solutions.

You will lead RFx processes, negotiate contracts, manage supplier relationships, and partner with Legal, Finance and Tech teams to optimize value and mitigate risk. This role is based in Milwaukee, WI with standard business hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years sourcing/procurement experience with IT hardware & infrastructure.
• Experience with SAP Ariba or similar sourcing platforms.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies across technology, data, AI, and cloud.
• Identify cost optimization, vendor consolidation, and demand management opportunities.
• Lead RFx processes (RFIs, RFPs) and supplier evaluations.
• Negotiate contracts and terms to maximize value while mitigating risk.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, and Tech teams to align sourcing outcomes.
• Maintain project plans and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.

Skills

Sourcing

Procurement

Vendor management

Ariba

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication skills

IT hardware & infra knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

SAP Ariba

MS Excel

Contract management systems

Job description

The Category Manager will drive end-to-end sourcing execution and category management across enterprise technology spend, including cloud hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP), data platforms, and AI solutions. The role combines hands-on sourcing delivery with category strategy and execution

Responsibilities:

• Support development and execution of category strategies across technology, data, AI, and cloud
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, vendor consolidation, and demand management
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for Tech Deals across, cloud hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP), data platforms, and AI solutions
• Manage sourcing and renewals for hyperscaler contracts and cloud consumption programs
• Managed end-to-end sourcing cycle, understand business needs, perform vendor research to identify potential participants to getting the contract signed
• Develop and published RFP in Ariba
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, evaluate their capabilities, and gather market intelligence to support decision-making
• Lead supplier selection and qualification processes, including issuing RFIs, RFPs, and conducting supplier evaluations and negotiations
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements and ensure the sourcing strategy meets their needs
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to secure favorable agreements that optimize value while mitigating risks
• Manage project plan for all assigned sourcing requests from requirement gathering to contracting
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to secure favorable agreements (MSA/SOW) that optimize value while mitigating risks
• Liaise with legal, business and supplier to finalize contracts
• Document and analyze supplier responses to ensure it contains valid and detailed information
• Co-ordination with various stakeholders (business, procurement, suppliers) for setting up meetings, presentations and other sessions
• Liaising with business stakeholders, procurement team and suppliers to ensure timely and successful completions of tasks and activities (related to RFx events, NDA management and contracting)
• Collaborate with Technology, Data, AI, Security, Finance, and Legal teams to align sourcing outcomes
• Maintaining project plans/ tracker for all requests and sourcing events, including timely reporting to all stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years of sourcing/procurement experience with a focus on IT Hardware & Infrastructure
• Proven experience as a Sourcing Specialist, Procurement Specialist, or similar role
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies, procurement best practices, and supplier management
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good project management/ business analysis/ process analysis skills
• Working knowledge of SAP Ariba, primarily in Sourcing and Contract workspace
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Project Management Professional (PMP)® Certification will be a plus

Business hours:

US 9-5 EST hours

The posted range is the hiring range for this role — a subset of the broader range available to employees over time — and reflects base salary across our national hiring scale. Final offers are based on several factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, internal pay equity, work location, market conditions for the role, and the specific scope and responsibilities of the position. The top of the range is reserved for candidates who notably exceed the requirements; the lower end applies to those with less experience or fewer preferred qualifications. For positions based in higher-cost zones (e.g., California, New York, New Jersey), actual compensation may exceed the posted range; your recruiter will share specifics during the process.