Senior Category Operations Specialist

Lumen; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 85,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen is a leader in AI-ready connectivity, offering high-performance, secure solutions across cloud, edge, and AI workloads. The Sr.

Category Operations Specialist supports procurement strategies for Outside Plant services, collaborates with Network Construction, and drives cost optimization and supplier performance improvements. The role involves spend analysis, supplier onboarding, RFI/RFQ/RFP activities, and contract administration, with a focus on effective procurement operations and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supplier management.
• Ability to analyze spend and performance data and make recommendations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Analyze spend, supplier performance, service demand, and market trends to identify sourcing opportunities and optimize costs.
• Develop reports, dashboards, and metrics with the Reporting & Analytics team.
• Maintain visibility into category spend and supplier utilization.
• Coordinate contracts, statements of work, amendments, and renewals with stakeholders.

Skills

Spend analysis

Supplier management

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Excel

Job description

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI-powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high-performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI-ready connectivity, join us today.

The Role

The Sr. Category Operations Specialist assists in the sourcing, contracting, and supplier management activities for assigned categories at Lumen Technologies. This role specifically will work with the Network Construction team on Outside Plant Support Services, including locates, flagging and task based support. This role supports the development and execution of procurement strategies in alignment with business objectives, while helping to optimize supplier performance and value. The position contributes to market analysis, spend tracking, and supplier performance monitoring, and collaborates with internal teams to ensure effective procurement operations.

Work Location

This is a work from home position within the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

Category Support and Analysis

Analyze spend, supplier performance, service demand, and market trends to identify sourcing opportunities, optimize costs, and mitigate risk.

Develop reports, dashboards, and performance metrics in partnership with the Reporting & Analytics team.

Maintain visibility into category spend, supplier utilization, service volumes, and financial performance.

Construction Support

Partner with Network Construction and regional stakeholders to align sourcing and supplier strategies with Outside Plant support requirements.

Support supplier sourcing, onboarding, and management for locates, flagging, and related field services.

Monitor supplier performance, capacity, quality, and service delivery, driving issue resolution and corrective actions as needed.

Manage RFI, RFQ, and RFP activities from requirements gathering through supplier selection and implementation.

Track operational issues, supplier commitments, and business priorities to support service continuity and project execution.

Strategy Implementation

Translate business, supplier, and market insights into actionable category strategies and execution plans.

Lead or support initiatives focused on cost optimization, supplier performance, demand management, and process improvement.

Monitor initiative progress, risks, and benefits, providing updates to stakeholders and leadership.

Contract Administration

Coordinate contracts, statements of work, amendments, and renewals in partnership with stakeholders, Legal, and Contracting Excellence.

Maintain contract records and ensure compliance with sourcing, legal, and approval requirements.

Monitor key commercial terms, obligations, pricing, and contract milestones.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build strong relationships across Network Construction, Operations, Finance, Legal, and other business partners.

Facilitate supplier and category reviews, align priorities, and drive issue resolution.

Deliver clear analyses, recommendations, and status updates to stakeholders and leadership.

Supplier Interaction

Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned suppliers, managing operational discussions, performance reviews, and escalations.

Maintain supplier scorecards and support ongoing governance and business reviews.

Identify and mitigate supplier risks related to capacity, compliance, financial stability, and service delivery.

Drive accountability for supplier commitments, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We Look For in a Candidate

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, operations, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Two to four years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, contract administration, or supply chain operations.

Demonstrated ability to analyze spend and performance data, identify trends, and communicate practical recommendations.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including intermediate Excel skills in data analysis, reporting, and presentation.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder requests in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Strong attention to detail, organization, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

Experience supporting telecommunications, utility, construction, Outside Plant, or field-service categories, particularly locates or damage-prevention services.

Experience coordinating competitive sourcing events, contract reviews, supplier onboarding, and supplier performance discussions.

Familiarity with procurement and source-to-pay platforms such as SAP and Ariba.

Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and elevate emerging risks with clear options and recommendations.

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges

$84,629 - $112,838 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY

$88,860 - $118,480 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$93,092 - $124,122 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We’re able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process.

Learn more about Lumen’s:

Benefits (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/benefits-statement)

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI-focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/faq) . Job‑related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, "protected statuses"). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Privacy Notice

Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.

To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice