Strategic Category Manager – Construction & 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

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.