Sr. Category Manager

First Tech Federal Credit Union; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Lending product pricing

Job summary

First Tech Federal Credit Union in Marlborough, MA seeks a Senior Category Manager to lead spend categories, develop strategies, and optimize supplier performance.

You will analyze market trends, run sourcing events, and collaborate with stakeholders to align category plans with operational needs.

This role emphasizes cost savings, risk management, and data-driven procurement with a focus on contract negotiations and supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in sourcing and category management.
• Ability to analyze spend data, market trends and supplier proposals.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms and managing sourcing events.
• Familiarity with contract language, risk considerations, and procurement policies.
• Proficiency with procurement and contract management systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and financial acumen.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Bachelor's degree in a field related to the role (or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu).

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned spend categories with strategy development, sourcing execution, supplier evaluation, and ongoing category performance monitoring.
• Conduct market research, spend analysis, and benchmarking to identify opportunities for cost optimization, value improvement, and risk reduction.
• Lead sourcing events such as RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations for moderately complex goods and services.
• Analyze supplier proposals, commercial terms, and pricing structures to support informed decision‑making.
• Collaborates with business stakeholders to understand requirements, align sourcing strategies, and ensure category plans support operational needs.
• Supports contract development and negotiation by providing category insights, supplier data, and commercial recommendations.
• Monitors supplier performance, identifies issues, and partners with internal teams to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Maintains accurate documentation, category plans, and supplier records in procurement and contract management systems.
• Contributes to the development of sourcing processes, tools, and templates to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Supports budgeting and forecasting activities by providing category‑level insights and spend projections.

Skills

Sourcing practices

Category management

Supplier evaluation

Spend data analysis

Negotiation

Procurement systems

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Procurement systems

Job description

Description

The Sr. Category Manager supports the organization’s sourcing and procurement objectives by managing assigned spend categories, developing category strategies, and optimizing supplier performance. The position contributes to operational and financial goals by identifying cost‑saving opportunities, improving supplier value, and ensuring sourcing decisions align with organizational policies and risk standards. This role strengthens procurement practices through data‑driven insights, market analysis, and effective supplier engagement.

Description

The Sr. Category Manager supports the organization’s sourcing and procurement objectives by managing assigned spend categories, developing category strategies, and optimizing supplier performance. The position contributes to operational and financial goals by identifying cost‑saving opportunities, improving supplier value, and ensuring sourcing decisions align with organizational policies and risk standards. This role strengthens procurement practices through data‑driven insights, market analysis, and effective supplier engagement.

Here’s what you can expect from the job and what you need to be successful:

What You’ll Do

• Manages assigned spend categories, including strategy development, sourcing execution, supplier evaluation, and ongoing category performance monitoring.
• Conducts market research, spend analysis, and benchmarking to identify opportunities for cost optimization, value improvement, and risk reduction.
• Leads sourcing events such as RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations for moderately complex goods and services.
• Analyzes supplier proposals, commercial terms, and pricing structures to support informed decision‑making.
• Collaborates with business stakeholders to understand requirements, align sourcing strategies, and ensure category plans support operational needs.
• Supports contract development and negotiation by providing category insights, supplier data, and commercial recommendations.
• Monitors supplier performance, identifies issues, and partners with internal teams to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Maintains accurate documentation, category plans, and supplier records in procurement and contract management systems.
• Contributes to the development of sourcing processes, tools, and templates to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Supports budgeting and forecasting activities by providing category‑level insights and spend projections.

Essential Skills

• Required Experience: 4 - 6 years of experience in sourcing practices, category management principles, and supplier evaluation methods.
• Ability to analyze spend data, market trends, and supplier proposals to support strategic decisions.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms and managing sourcing events.
• Familiarity with contract language, risk considerations, and procurement policies.
• Proficiency with procurement and contract management systems.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and financial acumen.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Required Education: Bachelors degree in field relevant to role (or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree)

Location:

Hillsboro Corporate Office | Hillsboro OR 97124ORMarlborough Corporate Office | Marlborough, MA

Target Compensation:

$93,000 - $111,500 + Annual Bonus

Who We Are

Every great journey begins with a bold idea—and ours is no different. First Tech and DCU were founded on the belief that financial solutions should put people first. That belief has fueled decades of innovation and service, rooted in the tech sector and expanding to support members from all walks of life.

What makes First Tech different? Click here to learn more!

Employees Are Eligible For

• Traditional medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous 401(k) match
• Paid Time Off: You'll accrue up to 15 days in your first year. In addition, you'll receive 40 hours of sick time and 3 personal days, which refresh annually
• Paid federal holidays
• Special employee pricing on lending products such as mortgage, auto, and personal loans (eligibility subject to standard account requirements and underwriting criteria)

Employment Statements

First Tech is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity, inclusion, and equity at our company. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you're applying for a job and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an email to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

First Tech is not currently offering Visa transfer/sponsorship for this position.