IT Category Manager, Operations Support

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

PCORI seeks an experienced IT Category Manager to lead end‑to‑end procurement across IT categories, including SaaS, cloud, and enterprise technology. You will partner with the DIGITAL division, align strategies with security policies, and drive value and risk mitigation through strategic sourcing and supplier management.

The role reports to the Associate Director of Procurement Operations Support and requires strong negotiation skills, market research, and the ability to influence senior

Qualifications

• Strong procurement strategy and contract negotiation experience.
• 10+ years of progressive procurement and category management experience.
• 5+ years of RFP/competitive procurement/proposal evaluation and contract close‑out services.
• 5+ years of coaching and training internal clients.
• Bachelor’s degree; advanced certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Acts as strategic procurement partner for DIGITAL, collaborating with business clients on requirements.
• Executes the full procurement lifecycle from pre‑ to post‑award activities.
• Leads IT‑specific procurement activities including sourcing for software, hardware, cloud services, SaaS, and IT services.
• Develops category strategies and alignment with DIGITAL’s roadmaps and security requirements.
• Negotiates contracts with stakeholders including GC, DIGITAL, and business units.
• Performs contract closeouts and manages renewals; provides independent procurement advice.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Contract negotiations

RFX management

Stakeholder management

IT procurement

SOW development

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Certifications: CPCM/CPPO/CPPB/NIGP-CPP/CPSM

Tools

Sourcing tools

Contract management software

RFP tooling

Job description

About Us

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers, and clinicians with the evidence‑based information needed to make better‑informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

The IT Category Manager (ICM) is a position within the Procurement Services Unit under the Finance and Administration Division. Reporting to the Associate Director of Procurement Operations Support, the ICM serves as the primary procurement liaison to PCORI’s DIGITAL Division. The ICM manages the planning and execution of procurement strategies across assigned information technology categories covering PCORI’s IT portfolio including SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, and enterprise technology solutions. The ICM manages end‑to‑end (“cradle‑to‑grave”) procurement activities for IT procurements, while applying category management principles—such as market research, supplier segmentation, and lifecycle planning—to support informed sourcing decisions. The ICM serves as a key advisor on IT procurement strategy, works closely with senior DIGITAL leadership and business owners, and aligns procurement strategies with technology roadmaps, security requirements, and organizational priorities to deliver best value, mitigate risk, and ensure sustainable vendor relationships. The ICM supports the Associate Director, Procurement Operations Support (ADPOS) in developing, advising, and driving procurement strategy to ensure continuous alignment with PCORI’s strategies, goals, and business objectives. The ICM also develops IT‑specific category strategies incorporating the procurement and technology lifecycle planning, vendor consolidation, and alignment with DIGITAL’s enterprise architecture standards. The ICM exercises high‑level judgment to provide independent advice to departmental clients and resolve complex contractual issues, including conducting market research, drafting statements of work and deliverables, preparing RFPs, devising evaluation methodologies, weighting, and sourcing strategies for assigned IT categories. The ICM serves as the negotiation lead for complex, high‑value IT agreements and manages renewals and negotiations for renewals over $100K. The ICM also conducts risk compliance analyses and recommends alternative procurement methods to mitigate vendor or service risks.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Acts as a trusted, strategic business partner for DIGITAL by providing expertise and collaborating with business clients on requirements, enabling business owners to make informed decisions on their procurements, resulting in agreements (“contracts”) in support of their Business Unit’s goals and objectives.
• Executes the full procurement life cycle process to include: pre‑ and post‑award activities; deployment of appropriate strategies, considering the size, risk, and complexity of the procurement; and recommendations to internal clients on procurement best practices.
• Proactively conducts procurement planning to determine the need for a contract, contract modification/amendment, renewals or termination; recommends procurement strategies for consideration; leads in the development of robust statements of work and deliverables; and takes a leading role in contractor identification and selection.
• Conducts offeror and contractor responsibility/risk compliance analysis using established PCORI procedures.
• Leads IT‑specific procurement activities, including sourcing and evaluating enterprise software, hardware, cloud services, SaaS solutions, and IT professional services tied to implementation, integrations and managed services; partners closely with the DIGITAL department, Information Security, and Data Governance teams to ensure integrated decision making and compliance with technical requirements, cybersecurity standards, data‑protection policies, and system‑integration needs.
• Designs and implements innovative procurement sourcing strategies for emerging technologies.
• Possesses expert level understanding of commerciality and demonstrates achieving value for money through strategic planning, solicitation, and negotiations; assesses risks and works with business partners to mitigate them during the procurement process.
• Follows established procurement policies, programs, and procedures that enhance operational efficiency from initial request through invoice payment and contract close‑out.
• Reviews procurement requests to ensure proper specifications or descriptions are included in RFP documentation.
• Evaluates offerors’ cost/price proposals, conducts price/cost analysis to determine price reasonableness, and prepares recommendations for award.
• Negotiates contracts, including coordinating with technical experts and interested PCORI business units (e.g., Office of General Counsel, DIGITAL), to develop the contract price and terms.
• Performs and completes contract closeouts involving simple and complex contracts (supporting firm fixed price, cost reimbursable, time and material payment mechanisms). Works independently to analyze, collect, and prepare documentation; reconcile data; and perform all required activities; works with the Project Leader and Contractor to resolve and settle all matters including costs, deliverables, and payments.
• Collaborates with leadership & management officials including other subject matter experts to develop category strategies; provides collaborative category management plans to senior management illustrating visibility on risks, market dynamics, key operational achievements, and measurable deliverables on productivity, efficiency & effectiveness.
• Develops and implements the sourcing strategy for the designated categories in line with the overall sourcing strategy to increase productivity, identify cost savings opportunities and optimize PCORI’s spending.
• Assists and coordinates with the clients to proactively conduct procurement planning to determine the need for a contract or amendment; recommends procurement strategies; interprets, advises and assists business partners and junior team members in applying Procurement Policy to satisfy contractual needs of the assigned portfolio.
• Advices and supports internal clients on new contract requirements, conducts market research on prospective/qualified vendors/suppliers, monitors vendor performance and timely delivery and quality of services, and resolves contractual issues.
• Manages internal client relationships, leads regular meetings/consultations, provides updates as needed, and anticipates customer needs.
• Operates with minimal oversight on routine procurement activities; demonstrates thorough judgement, best practice application, critical thinking, and the ability to make recommendations in situations with limited precedent.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above. These are essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Required Skills

• Proficient understanding of procurement concepts and principles to determine strategy and manage negotiations, execution, and management of contracts and agreements.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to articulate and propose alternative procurement methods.
• Self‑directed with situational awareness and the ability to complete assignments on time and within established procurement lead times (PALTs).
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a consultative advisory role, balancing procurement policy requirements with business needs.
• Strong stakeholder management and client‑service orientation, with the ability to build trust, manage expectations, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Proficient in managing RFX, competitive procurement, proposal evaluation, and contract close‑out activities.
• Comprehensive understanding of contracting methods and contract types, including cost, incentive, award fee, and special provisions for proprietary rights.
• Ability to translate and facilitate program/research support requirements into viable procurement actions.
• Solid knowledge of IT hardware, software, support services, networks, infrastructure, and data center technology.
• Robust interpersonal skills and effective communication at all organizational levels.
• Strong problem‑solving, attention to detail, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Intellectual curiosity and professional commitment to excellence.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive procurement and category management experience in contracting, sourcing, contract administration, negotiating technology contracts, enterprise software licensing agreements, and IT managed services.
• 5+ years of experience in Request for Proposal/competitive procurement/proposal evaluation and contract close‑out services.
• 5+ years of experience in coaching and training internal clients, paired with a strong understanding of procurement best practices and contract law knowledge.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree, relevant certifications (CPCM, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP‑CPP, CPSM, etc.) or professional designations, and general knowledge of contracting law preferred.

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000. The final offer is based on position responsibilities, candidate experience, education, and market conditions.

Eligible employees may participate in PCORI-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and eligible dependents. PCORI also offers other benefits as outlined in applicable plans.

Conflict of Interest

PCORI requires employees to disclose financial, business, and personal associations that could bias or appear to bias their decisions on a yearly basis. Disclosures are made publicly available on PCORI’s website.

PCORI conducts reference and background checks on all applicants.