Software & Infrastructure Category Lead (Hybrid/Remote)

The Hartford; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 113,600 - 170,400; Full time

Job summary

The Hartford is seeking an Assistant Director, Software and Infrastructure Category Management to lead the development and execution of category strategies for high‑value software and infrastructure spend. You will partner with senior leaders to translate procurement strategy into actionable plans, drive cost reductions, and ensure compliant, data‑driven negotiations.

The role can be hybrid or remote with office attendance near Hartford for those located nearby; candidates farther away may work

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of category management, strategic sourcing and contract negotiation experience within software categories.
• Proven experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Experience leading market analysis and intelligence gathering.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes category strategies aligned to enterprise objectives
• Conducts market analysis to understand trends, cost drivers, risks and opportunities
• Establishes category level objectives
• Functions as a trusted advisor for senior leaders through the category management and sourcing journey, providing clear recommendations
• Drives significant reductions in cost while optimizing value through demand- and supply-side opportunities
• Identifies and mitigates supplier, commercial, operational, and compliance risks within assigned categories
• Develops and implements category best practices
• Leads end-to-end sourcing initiatives
• Develops negotiation strategies and leads supplier negotiations for commercial, risk and service outcomes
• Drafts and negotiates contracts of varying complexity in partnership with Legal when needed
• Brings software market expertise to deliver both cost savings and business value
• Ensures consistent contract quality, documentation standards and adherence to procurement policies
• Uses spend analytics, performance dashboards, and sourcing insights to inform decisions
• Utilizes procurement technology to support the end-to-end procurement lifecycle and drive efficiency, transparency and value
• Manages strategic supplier relationships and contract portfolios
• Ensures accuracy and integrity of sourcing, supplier, and contract data within enterprise systems
• Partners with business and functional stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with operational and strategic needs
• Identifies opportunities to apply emerging tools and AI-enabled capabilities to category management activities
• Maintains a high standard of customer engagement and service
• Models enterprise leadership principles by driving results with accountability and integrity, partnering effectively across functions with an enterprise mindset, using data and insights to inform decisions, continuously improving how work gets done, contributing to a high-performing, inclusive team culture, embracing change and helping others adapt to evolving priorities and tools

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in procurement, supply chain, finance or business

Tools

Coupa

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Hartford is seeking an Assistant Director, Software and Infrastructure Category Management to lead the development and execution of category strategies for high‑value software and infrastructure spend. You will partner with senior leaders to translate procurement strategy into actionable plans, drive cost reductions, and ensure compliant, data‑driven negotiations.

The role can be hybrid or remote with office attendance near Hartford for those located nearby; candidates farther away may work