Remote Category Manager: Meetings & Travel Strategy

EPRI; California; Remote; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

EPRI is seeking a Category Manager to oversee Meetings, Events & Corporate Travel, negotiating terms with hotels, venues, and travel providers. You will manage category strategy, supplier performance, and risk, collaborating with internal clients and stakeholders to deliver compliant, cost-effective solutions.

The role supports supplier selection, contract negotiations, and reporting while guiding continuous improvement in travel and events management. Remote/home-based in the US.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of relevant experience in corporate travel management, meetings and events management, hotel or hospitality management, travel management company operations or account management, strategic sourcing or procurement, or supplier/category management.
• Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Some understanding of, and experience negotiating commercial acquisition terms and conditions with the ability to use/draft basic agreement prose.
• Basic understanding of the generic procure-to-pay process.
• Outstanding listening, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply sound commercial judgment and work within applicable internal controls, fraud-prevention requirements, travel policies, supplier-risk processes, and acquisition procedures.
• Knowledge of a corporate travel program and meetings and evens program and/or experience managing a corporate travel program, meetings and events program, hospitality operation, or related supplier portfolio is preferred.
• Experience with SAP or comparable enterprise systems is preferred; familiarity with Concur, Cvent, online booking tools, travel management company platforms, global distribution systems, and/or meetings-management technology is a plus.
• Ability to manage projects, prioritize and delegate work.
• Utilize emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and support business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Acquisition Terms Negotiation: negotiates sourcing agreements and acquisition terms with contract risk awareness.
• Drafts terms reflecting business needs and compliance; tracks cost savings and avoidance.
• Develops risk analysis matrices for moderate/high-risk arrangements.
• Vendor Management: identifies strategic vendors and continuity plans; monitors performance.
• Engages with vendors to align objectives and conducts regular relationship reviews.
• Supports consolidation of supply base and conducts RFX events with documented awards.
• Market Analysis: stays updated on industry trends relevant to the category; surveys market conditions.
• Recommends best sources of supply and aids in supplier selection.
• Spend Category Strategy Development: develops category acquisition strategies and monitors progress.
• Helps manage organizational change from category-based strategies.
• Internal Dynamics, Collaboration and Communication: builds internal relationships and aligns with budgets and department strategies.
• Improves operational efficiency and participates in special projects as assigned.

Skills

Sourcing

Negotiation

Vendor management

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

SAP

Concur

Cvent

Job description

EPRI is seeking a Category Manager to oversee Meetings, Events & Corporate Travel, negotiating terms with hotels, venues, and travel providers. You will manage category strategy, supplier performance, and risk, collaborating with internal clients and stakeholders to deliver compliant, cost-effective solutions.

The role supports supplier selection, contract negotiations, and reporting while guiding continuous improvement in travel and events management. Remote/home-based in the US.