Global Category Manager IM

Nouryon; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nouryon seeks a Global Category Manager IM to lead global IT indirect spend, covering software, SaaS, cloud, hardware, and IT services. You will align procurement with enterprise tech priorities, drive governance, and optimize supplier performance with cross-functional partners.

You will design sourcing events, build TCO models, and deliver cost savings while ensuring compliance and risk mitigation across IT categories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Information Systems or related discipline (MBA preferred).
• 5+ years in indirect IT category management or enterprise IT sourcing in a global environment.
• Experience negotiating complex enterprise technology agreements (software/SaaS/cloud).

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve global IT category strategies and multi-year sourcing roadmaps.
• Design and run end-to-end sourcing events (RFIs/RFPs/RFQs) and negotiations.
• Manage supplier performance, governance, and risk with IT, Legal, and Risk teams.

Skills

Category management

Negotiations

SRM

Stakeholder management

Cost optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/IT

MBA or Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SAP Ariba

Coupa

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/Google)

Job description

Global Category Manager IM At Nouryon, our global team takes positive action every day, to reach higher collectively and individually. We create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers to answer society’s needs – today and in the future. We are looking for team members who bring ideas forward, champion others and work together to do better. Does that sound like you?

In your future role as a Global Category Manager IM, you will The Category Manager – IT leads the development and execution of global category strategies, strategic sourcing, and supplier management for the company’s IT indirect spend, optimizing cost, quality, and value across software, SaaS, cloud services, hardware, and IT professional services. The role delivers value through cost optimization, supplier innovation, risk mitigation, and strong contract execution. The category focuses on information technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity software, licenses, and services. Partnering closely with IT, Information Security, Legal, Finance, and senior functional stakeholders, the Category Manager aligns sourcing strategy with enterprise technology priorities, translates business requirements into effective sourcing decisions, manages supplier performance, and drives governance and compliance.

Category Management

• Own and continuously evolve global IT category strategies and execute multi-year sourcing roadmaps aligned to business and technology priorities
• Establish the right roster of preferred suppliers and drive supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and efficiency improvements
• Design and run end-to-end sourcing events, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and negotiations
• Build total cost of ownership (TCO) models and business cases to support sourcing decisions
• Evaluate emerging technologies and sourcing models to support digital initiatives

Contracting & Commercial Negotiations

• Negotiate and finalize complex enterprise agreements across software, SaaS, cloud, hardware, and services, ensuring terms and conditions meet business objectives
• Ensure strong commercial terms, including pricing, service level agreements (SLAs), security, intellectual property, and risk protections
• Lead supplier negotiations and deliver continuous, sustainable productivity, cost savings, and cost avoidance

Supplier Relationship Management

• Run supplier relationship management (SRM) with strategic technology suppliers, monitoring Key Performance Indicators, service levels, and innovation contributions
• Resolve high-risk escalations and manage contractual and reputational risks proactively
• Partner with Legal, Information Security, and Risk teams on supplier governance, third-party risk, and due diligence

Stakeholder Management

• Manage senior-level relationships across IT, Information Security, Legal, Finance, and Compliance to ensure alignment of procurement goals with business priorities
• Collaborate with the functions to continuously optimize spending; monitor and optimize IT spend, licensing, and cloud utilization, and drive adoption of procurement processes with a customer-focused approach

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulatory standards
• Promote ethical sourcing, sustainability/ESG criteria, and supplier diversity initiatives

We believe you bring

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Information Systems, or another relevant discipline OR Master’s degree or MBA; Master’s degree in Information Technology or related field Minimum of 5 years of work experience in Category Management of Indirect Services Procurement in a global environment; experience in enterprise IT sourcing and category management (software, SaaS, cloud, hardware, and IT services); demonstrated success negotiating complex, high-value enterprise technology agreements Experience sourcing AI and cybersecurity solutions; knowledge of software asset management (SAM) and IT asset management (ITAM) Strategic category leadership, supplier relationship management (SRM), stakeholder influence and business partnering, financial and analytical acumen, risk and contract management, data-driven decision making, project management Strategic sourcing and RFx execution (RFI/RFP/RFQ), contracting and commercial negotiation, total cost of ownership (TCO) modeling and business case development, analytical skills, problem solving, interpersonal skills Tech savvy: strong understanding of software licensing models, SaaS, cloud platforms (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud), cybersecurity, and IT professional services; proficiency with procurement platforms (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa); Ops Fintech experience

AboutNouryon

If you’re looking for your next career move, apply today and join Nouryon’s worldwide team in providing essential solutions that our customers use to manufacture everyday products such as personal care, cleaning, paints and coatings, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and building products. Our employees are driven by the wish to make an impact and actively drive positive change. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. From day one we support you with your personal growth, through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities, in a dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment.

Visitour website and followus on LinkedIn .

Nouryon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.