Lead Category Manager – IT, Software

Jobtailor; Connecticut; On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Connecticut seeks a senior IT Procurement leader to structure and drive complex software contract renewals, manage licenses, and partner with senior IT stakeholders and advisory partners.

The role covers the software category from usage forecasting through contract execution, with a focus on multi-year savings, strategic sourcing, vendor evaluation, and governance. Strong negotiation, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• 9+ years procurement experience in strategic sourcing and contract management.
• 5+ years IT technology category experience; software focus required.
• Strong vendor management and VAR/reseller experience.
• Proven stakeholder management across IT, Finance, Legal, and cybersecurity.
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field; MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Structure, lead, and support IT contract renewal negotiations.
• Manage software licenses with senior IT stakeholders and advisory partners.
• Manage the Software category from usage forecasting through contract execution.
• Track multi-year savings and procurement metrics.
• Plan and execute strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Evaluate vendors and negotiate/award contracts.
• Manage contracts, supplier relationships, governance, and compliance.
• Lead procurement operations, approvals, analytics, and reporting.
• Serve as central contact for IT escalations for MSP and internal IT Software Procurement Team.
• Provide white-glove support for C-suite and VIPs.
• Execute, support, and lead the IT Software Procurement Team through contract review, approval, tactical tracking, and administration.
• Enhance standard operating procedures for continuous improvement.

Skills

Excel Proficiency

Data Analysis

Financial Analysis

Contract Negotiation

Project Management

Time Management

Stakeholder Management

Relationship Building

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA Preferred

Job description

• Structure, lead, and support complex IT contract renewal negotiations
• Manage software licenses in partnership with senior IT stakeholders and advisory partners
• Manage the Software category from usage forecasting through contract execution
• Track multi-year savings and other detailed procurement metrics
• Plan and execute strategic sourcing initiatives
• Evaluate vendors and negotiate/award contracts
• Manage contracts, supplier relationships, implementation, governance, and compliance
• Lead procurement business operations, including approvals, supplier analytics, and reporting
• Serve as the central point of contact for IT escalations supporting the managed services provider and internal IT Software Procurement Team
• Provide white-glove support for C-suite and other VIPs
• Execute, support, and lead the IT Software Procurement Team through contract review, approval, tactical tracking, and administration
• Enhance standard operating procedures for continuous improvement

Requirements

• 9+ years Procurement (Strategic Sourcing, Contract Management) experience with global, complex, strategic initiatives/corporate environment required
• 5+ years IT Technology category experience (software, IT related labor) required; software focus required
• VAR/reseller management experience
• Demonstrated stakeholder management across IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business teams
• Proven leadership, transformation, and ability to operate independently with minimal ramp-up
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Strategy, Finance, IT, Computer Science, Engineering, Legal, or another quantitative discipline
• Expert Level proficiency in Excel; VBA/macros not required
• Strong contract negotiation skills
• Analytical skills, including data, financial, and price analysis
• Project/time management
• Problem solving
• Communication/presentation
• Results orientation
• Contract interpretational accuracy
• Relationship building
• Business and professional acumen
• MBA preferred
• Management consulting background preferred

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive expertise in Procurement and Strategic Sourcing, with a strong focus on IT Technology categories and contract management. Proven ability to lead complex negotiations, manage supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement in procurement processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Procurement Experience
• Strategic Sourcing
• Contract Management
• Stakeholder Management
• IT Technology Category Experience

Hard Skills

• Contract Negotiation
• Data Analysis
• Financial Analysis
• Price Analysis
• Project Management
• Time Management
• Contract Interpretational Accuracy
• Excel Proficiency

Soft Skills

• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Presentation
• Relationship Building
• Results Orientation

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• MBA Preferred

Industry Keywords

• IT Contract Renewal
• Software Licensing
• Supplier Analytics
• Governance
• Compliance
• VAR/Reseller Management