IT Category Manager

Intuitive Machines, LLC; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Intuitive Machines in Palo Alto, CA is seeking an experienced IT Software Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for our IT software portfolio, including licenses, SaaS, and related services.

You will develop category strategies, negotiate complex agreements, manage key supplier relationships, conduct market analyses, and drive cost optimization while ensuring policy compliance and risk management across the software lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, IT, or related field.
• 5-7+ years of procurement experience with focus on IT category.
• Extensive knowledge of software licensing models, terms and conditions, and contract structures.
• Proven track record of successful negotiations with major IT suppliers.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to leverage data for decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive results.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Self-starter with proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Strong decision-making capabilities with sound business judgment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for IT hardware/software across the enterprise.
• Lead negotiations for hardware procurements/leases, software licenses, maintenance agreements, and SaaS contracts.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance for key IT suppliers.
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with software licensing terms and corporate policies.
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions.
• Drive standardization and consolidation opportunities within the software portfolio.
• Manage contract lifecycle from RFP through execution and renewal.
• Identify and mitigate procurement risks related to software licensing and terms.

Skills

Procurement experience

Software licensing

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Self-starter

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, IT, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

PLM systems

Cybersecurity tools

Job description

Please review the job details below.

Intuitive Machines is seeking an experienced IT Software Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for our IT software portfolio. This role requires a proactive self-starter who can drive category strategy, negotiate complex agreements, and deliver value while managing risk in software procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for IT hardware/software across the enterprise
• Lead negotiations for hardware procurements/leases, software licenses, maintenance agreements, and SaaS contracts
• Manage supplier relationships and performance for key IT suppliers
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to identify cost optimization opportunities
• Ensure compliance with software licensing terms and corporate policies
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions
• Drive standardization and consolidation opportunities within the software portfolio
• Manage contract lifecycle from RFP through execution and renewal
• Identify and mitigate procurement risks related to software licensing and terms

Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Initiative and proactive problem-solving
• Risk management and compliance orientation
• Collaboration and cross-functional partnership
• Results-driven with accountability for outcomes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, IT, or related field
• 5-7+ years of procurement experience with focus on IT category
• Extensive knowledge of software licensing models, terms and conditions, and contract structures
• Proven track record of successful negotiations with major IT suppliers
• Strong analytical skills with ability to leverage data for decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive results
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Self-starter with proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement
• Strong decision-making capabilities with sound business judgment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-tech manufacturing environment
• Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, or similar)
• Familiarity with enterprise software platforms (ERP, PLM, cybersecurity tools)
• Experience with SaaS and cloud-based licensing models
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for software in regulated industries

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

• The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $97,000.00 - $161,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within New Jersey is: $97,000.00 - $161,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within Delaware is: $97,000.00 - $161,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $107,000.00 - $178,000.00 annually.
• The base pay for this position within California is: $111,000.00 - $185,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.

The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.