Senior Category Manager- PDS/ Programs & Projects

Cushman & Wakefield; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 119,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision & dental coverage

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Senior Category Manager for PDS/P&P to drive category strategies, lead strategic sourcing, and negotiate contracts that align with client needs and business goals. You will collaborate with procurement partners, leadership, and account teams to deliver value across capital projects and programs.

The role emphasizes supplier performance management, risk governance, and cross-functional training to standardize playbooks and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field required or preferred.
• 10+ years in construction and project development services with 3+ years in procurement category management.
• Deep knowledge of pricing models, benchmarking, and labor/material benchmarking.
• Experience with contract negotiation and management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for PDS and P&P aligned with procurement priorities.
• Lead strategic sourcing, supplier selection, and competitive processes for cost-effective solutions.
• Negotiate terms and contracts balancing client needs and category strategy.
• Manage preferred supplier relationships and monitor performance across portfolios.
• Support commercial governance, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Category management

Procurement

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job TitleSenior Category Manager- PDS/ Programs & ProjectsJob Description SummaryThe PDS/P&P Procurement Category Manager supports Cushman & Wakefield’s (C&W) Project Development Services (PDS) and Programs & Projects (P&P) business lines by developing and executing category strategies that drive value, strengthen supplier performance, and enhance project delivery outcomes. This role partners across Procurement, business leadership, account teams, and key stakeholders to implement preferred supplier strategies, leverage spend analytics and market intelligence, and deliver commercial solutions that balance client needs, operational priorities, and business objectives.The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of construction and capital projects procurement, including pricing models, benchmarking, supplier management, and contract strategy. The Category Manager serves as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, helps advance Procurement’s value proposition in client-facing engagements, and contributes to continuous improvement through playbooks, training, and data-driven insights that support consistency, compliance, and innovation across the service lines.Job DescriptionResponsibilities:Category StrategyDevelop and execute category strategies for PDS and P&P that align with Procurement priorities, stakeholder needs, and business objectives.Partner with Procurement business partners, service line leadership, and account teams to translate category strategies into actionable plans that support client delivery and operational priorities.Identify opportunities to standardize approaches, improve category adoption, and enhance the value Procurement brings to capital projects and program delivery.Strategic Sourcing & NegotiationLead strategic sourcing activities, supplier selection, and competitive processes to support cost-effective, high-quality solutions for clients and the business.Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, and contractual arrangements that balance client needs, business objectives, and category strategy.Support the development of procurement playbooks, negotiation approaches, and procurement guidance that enable consistent execution across projects and teams.Supplier Relationship & Performance ManagementManage preferred supplier relationships and utilization strategies to strengthen program coverage, improve consistency, and support service line delivery across portfolios.Monitor supplier performance and collaborate with internal stakeholders and suppliers to address issues, improve outcomes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.Support supplier governance activities, including adoption of preferred supplier programs, performance oversight, and alignment to stakeholder and client expectations.Risk, Governance & Contract ManagementSupport risk mitigation through effective supplier oversight, commercial governance, and alignment with C&W policies, client requirements, and procurement standards.Help establish and maintain effective commercial arrangements, contract management practices, and supporting documentation that enable compliance and operational efficiency.Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Operations, Risk, and project teams to address contractual, compliance, and supplier-related issues as they arise.Analytics, Reporting & Value RealizationLeverage spend analytics, benchmarking, and market intelligence to identify opportunities, measure category performance, and support informed decision-making.Develop and maintain reporting that tracks supplier performance, category opportunities, and business impact, including savings and value delivery where applicable.Use data-driven insights and benchmarking tools to support project teams, strengthen category strategies, and demonstrate Procurement’s contribution to client and business outcomes.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field preferred.10+ years of construction and project development services experience, including 3+ years in procurement category management, with deep expertise in construction and capital projects sourcing, pricing models, and labor/material benchmarking.Knowledge of supplier risk management practicesAbility to train, mentor, and support internal stakeholdersStrong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and resolve issues related to capital programs and construction projectsExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organizationStrong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlinesDemonstrated ability to develop innovative strategies and practical solutionsExperience with contract negotiation and ongoing contract managementContinuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and value creationFlexible, adaptable, and able to work effectively in a dynamic environmentSelf-starter with the ability to work independently and drive resultsStrong business acumen and ability to navigate a matrixed organizationEffective presentation, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement skillsStrong active listening and interpersonal skillsStrong proficiency with MS Office Suite (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint)Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.The compensation for the position is: $ 119,000.00 - $140,000.00Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”