Procurement Category Manager

ssacareers; Washington; Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

ssacareers is seeking a seasoned Procurement Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies, lead strategic sourcing, and strengthen supplier partnerships across IT and professional services. The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, risk management, and driving cost optimizations in a dynamic environment.

Reporting to the Director of Category Management, the candidate should bring deep procurement experience, strong business acumen, and the ability to influence

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 or master’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, finance or related field.
• High emotional intelligence with ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
• Experience using data and metrics to drive improvements.
• Experience leading large and complex negotiations.
• Experience cross-functionally with tech and non-tech 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 improvements.
• Experience in complex problem solving and tight schedules.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead sourcing for designated categories, including market research and contract negotiation.
• Build and manage supplier relationships with performance monitoring and development initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate risks to ensure uninterrupted supply and continuity.
• Drive cost reductions through negotiation, value engineering, and total cost of ownership analysis.
• Develop and manage supplier contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance and favorable terms.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and quality teams to align requirements and standards.
• Manage operational issues and escalations with timely resolution.
• Foster collaboration and a results-oriented mindset among stakeholders.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Supplier management

Contract management

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Lean Six Sigma

Strategic sourcing

Problem solving

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 meeting 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.

• 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.

• 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

The posted compensation range is based on the applicable geographic market for the position and may vary depending on factors such as related experience and skill set. Final compensation will be determined based on these items and other relevant factors.

Our Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer