Strategic Category Manager: Drive Cost Savings & Supplier Value

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

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.