Strategic Category Manager - Sourcing & Negotiations

Jobtailor; Rogers (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced procurement leader to act as a trusted advisor to Operations and Engineering, developing multi-year category strategies and leading full-cycle sourcing processes. You will negotiate complex contracts, manage supplier performance, and drive cost optimization across multiple commodities.

You’ll collaborate cross-functionally, monitor essential procurement metrics, and stay ahead of industry trends to ensure compliant, high-value partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, MIS, or related field; MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted procurement advisor to cross-functional teams across Operations, Engineering, and other departments.
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for assigned commodities.
• Manage full-cycle sourcing processes such as RFIs and RFPs.
• Lead commercial negotiations encompassing pricing, SLAs, data privacy, IP rights, and liability clauses.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and provide strategic guidance.
• Oversee supplier partnerships, ensuring SLA, KPI, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor and report procurement metrics including cost optimization, contract coverage, and supplier performance.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technology trends and industry standards relevant to procurement.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Category Management

Contract Negotiation

Supplier Performance Management

Cost Optimization

Project Management

Influence Skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

MBA Preferred

Tools

RFIs

RFPs

Pricing Negotiation

Service Level Agreements

Data Privacy

Intellectual Property Rights

Liability Clauses

Job description

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced procurement leader to act as a trusted advisor to Operations and Engineering, developing multi-year category strategies and leading full-cycle sourcing processes. You will negotiate complex contracts, manage supplier performance, and drive cost optimization across multiple commodities.

You’ll collaborate cross-functionally, monitor essential procurement metrics, and stay ahead of industry trends to ensure compliant, high-value partnerships.