Procurement Category Manager

SSA Marine; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401k plan and company match

Bonuses based on performance

Job summary

SSA Marine is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies that optimize costs and mitigate risk. This role oversees the full category lifecycle, from strategy development and sourcing to supplier performance management and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has extensive IT and Professional Services category experience, with strong negotiation, data analysis, and stakeholder influence across a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience owning program strategy, end-to-end delivery.
• 5+ years of work experience in procurement or supply chain management.
• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred in supply chain, business, engineering, finance or related field.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies and roadmaps.
• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations for designated categories.
• Manage supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and quality teams to meet requirements.
• Mitigate supply risks and optimize total cost of ownership.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Contracting

RFP management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor management

Data-driven decision making

Lean/Six Sigma

Category management

Procurement strategy

Supply chain knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Procurement Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that deliver value across the organization through strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration. This role leads the full category lifecycle, from strategy development and sourcing through implementation, supplier performance management, and continuous improvement, while ensuring procurement decisions align with business objectives and meet the needs of internal stakeholders.

Working across business units, regions, and functional teams, the Category Manager identifies opportunities to optimize costs, reduce risk, strengthen supplier partnerships, and standardize procurement processes. This role is instrumental in building category roadmaps that balance long-term strategic priorities with day-to-day operational execution.

Reporting to the Director of Category Management, the ideal candidate brings deep experience managing IT and Professional Services categories, along with a proven ability to lead complex sourcing initiatives and negotiations. They are equally comfortable developing enterprise-wide category strategies and rolling up their sleeves to resolve operational challenges. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, analytical thinking, resilience, and the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy Development: Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies that align with the organization's goals and objectives. Identify cost optimization opportunities, analyze market trends, and define sourcing approaches.
• Strategic Sourcing: Lead the sourcing process for designated categories, including conducting market research, identifying potential suppliers, and negotiating contracts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and ensure alignment with business needs.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and fortify relationships with key suppliers; monitor supplier performance, conduct regular supplier evaluations, and implement supplier development initiatives to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are met.
• Supply Chain Continuity: Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to critical items, working closely with suppliers to establish contingency plans and ensure uninterrupted supply. Monitor market conditions, assess supplier capabilities, and develop strategies to address potential supply chain disruptions.
• Cost Optimization: Drive cost reduction initiatives through effective negotiation, value engineering, and total cost of ownership analysis. Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, supplier consolidation, and process improvements to achieve cost savings without compromising quality and service levels.
• Contract Management: Develop and manage contracts with suppliers, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Negotiate favorable terms and conditions, review contract performance, and drive contract renewals or amendments as necessary.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including engineering, operations, and quality teams, to understand technical specifications, requirements, and quality standards for critical items. Foster effective communication and collaboration to ensure alignment and support for category management initiatives.
• Issue Resolution: Manage operational issues and escalations, ensuring prompt resolution of vendor-related concerns.
• Culture & Mindset: Foster collaboration, transparency, and results-oriented thinking among diverse stakeholders. Encourage constructive debate to arrive at optimal solutions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience owning program strategy, end-to-end delivery, and communicating results to senior leadership.
• 5+ years of work experience in procurement or supply chain management.
• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred: in supply chain, business, engineering, finance or related technical or quantitative field.
• High emotional intelligence and an ability to collaborate with and engage stakeholders.
• Experience using data and metrics to determine and drive improvements.
• Experience being responsible/leading large and complex negotiations.
• Experience working cross functionally with tech and non-tech (e.g. operations, maintenance) teams.
• Ability to perform in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic sourcing, including RFP creation and management.
• Strong vendor management and oversight capabilities.
• Proven ability to use data and metrics to measure and drive improvements.
• Experience in complex problem solving and working in a tight schedule environment.
• Strong communication (both written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement techniques such as Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent.
• Technical procurement skills, including:
• Category management (strategy, sourcing, supplier management)
• Operational effectiveness (purchase-to-pay, controls, inventory, logistics)
• Negotiation skills
• Contracting
• Risk management

Supervisory Responsibilities

No

Work Environment

• Exposure to computer screens.
• Required hybrid work schedule, at least 3 days/week in office.
• Required job duties are performed in a professional office environment.
• The noise level in work environment is occasional.

Pay Range: $137,324 - 183,099 per year

Our Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits

• Eligible employees (and their families) may qualify for medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as having basic life and accidental death insurance, paid disability insurance, including paid parental leave if eligible, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Employees will receive paid sick and vacation time, and company holidays if eligible.
• The company also offers paid bereavement leave, and paid jury duty.
• Eligible employees can enroll in our company's 401k plan, as well as a retirement plan.
• Employees will be eligible for discretionary and/or metric-based bonuses dependent on their position.