IT Category Manager

CME Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity program

Health coverage

401(k) and pension

Education reimbursement

Paid time off

Mental health benefits

Job summary

CME Group in Chicago is seeking an IT Category Manager to lead technology procurement for HR and Finance solutions, including enterprise software, SaaS, and implementation projects. You will drive competitive bidding and partner with internal stakeholders across HR, Finance, Legal, and Third Party Risk Management.

Leverage strong negotiation and relationship skills to optimize supplier performance, monitor cost and usage trends, and ensure compliance with procurement policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3–5+ years in procurement.
• Experience negotiating with vendors and managing supplier relationships.
• Familiarity with HR and Finance software and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end procurement for HR and Finance software and related services; evaluate proposals domestically and internationally.
• Serve as a consultative partner to HR and Finance to understand requirements and resolve bottlenecks.
• Manage post-buy functions with Accounts Payable and Finance; resolve complex invoice-PO discrepancies.
• Lead supplier governance (quarterly reviews, scorecards) and ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Monitor market trends and identify cost-saving opportunities; complete deal summaries and dashboards.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

Workday

Job description

IT Category Manager

The IT Category Manager processes technology contracts and purchases based on departmental needs, focusing primarily on supporting HR and Finance technology solutions (enterprise software, SaaS, and implementation). As a self-starter and proactive problem solver, the IT Category Manager leads successful vendor negotiations by establishing competitive bidding environments, elevating new and incumbent supplier relationships, analyzing cost and usage trends, adhering to procurement policies, and effectively partnering with internal stakeholders across HR, Finance, Legal, and Third Party Risk Management. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to bridge technical specifications with commercial and contractual terms.

Principal Accountabilities

• Technology & Enterprise Sourcing: Drive end-to-end procurement processes for HR and Finance software, platforms, and related services. Solicit and evaluate domestic and international proposals using negotiation and total cost of ownership.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Problem Solving: Serve as a consultative partner to HR and Finance to understand current and future technical requirements, independently troubleshoot procurement bottlenecks, and recommend optimal vendor strategies.
• Post-Buy & Financial Operations: Manage post-buy functions, including handling complex invoice‑versus‑PO discrepancies in collaboration with Accounts Payable and Finance.
• Supplier Governance & Relationship Management: Lead supplier governance (quarterly business reviews, scorecards, roadmap alignment), monitor vendor compliance, and evaluate cross‑functional processes among procurement, business units, and suppliers.
• Process Optimization: Continuously monitor market trends and identify cost‑saving or operational efficiency opportunities across corporate tech stacks. Complete deal summaries and pipeline dashboards as required.

Software & Systems Requirements

• Proficient with Microsoft 365 and/or Google Workspace suite.
• Prior experience with enterprise ERP systems, specifically Workday.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree, 3‑5+ years of relevant experience within a procurement organization.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range: $81,100-$135,100. Actual salary will depend on a wide array of factors including relevant experience, skills, education and internal comparison.

• Annual target bonus opportunity for all employees.
• Opportunity to become an owner in the company through a broad‑based equity program.
• Comprehensive health coverage.
• Retirement package that includes a 401(k) and an active pension plan.
• Highly competitive education reimbursement provisions.
• Paid time off.
• Mental health benefit.
• Holistic benefits package for employees and their dependents.

CME Group: Where Futures are Made. CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. We enable clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios and analyze data, empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities.

Transform industries, build a career by shaping tomorrow, and impact markets worldwide. We invest in your success and you own it – all while working alongside a team of leading experts who inspire you in ways big and small. Problem solvers, difference makers, trailblazers – those are our people. We’re looking for more.

At CME Group, we embrace our employees' unique experiences and skills to ensure that everyone’s perspectives are acknowledged and valued. As an equal‑opportunity employer, we consider all potential employees without regard to any protected characteristic.

Additionally, CME Group does not communicate with job applicants over Telegram. Learn more here.

Employment Eligibility

For U.S. employment, CME Group is legally required to validate a new hire’s employment eligibility by having them complete an Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I‑9) accompanied with legally acceptable proof of identity and work authorization. CME Group uses E‑Verify, an online system operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility and validate social security numbers. Through participation in the E‑Verify program, information entered on Form I‑9 will be provided and compared to information available at both agencies.