Strategic IT Category Manager | Flexible Hours

Cypress HCM; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Cypress HCM is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing initiatives for IT procurement, software licensing, and cloud services. You will drive end-to-end sourcing events, negotiate terms, negotiate with global technology vendors, and develop category strategies to optimize cost and mitigate risk.

You will partner with Legal, Finance, Security, and business leaders to align sourcing with business objectives, ensuring governance compliance and delivering measurable cost

Qualifications

• 7+ years in strategic sourcing or procurement roles.
• Experience leading large enterprise tech supplier negotiations.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of enterprise software licensing models.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication.
• Experience with cross-functional sourcing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events for technology categories.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligning with business goals.
• Manage RFPs, RFQs, and complex contract negotiations.
• Negotiate multi-million-dollar software licensing, cloud services, infra, and services.
• Build partnerships with stakeholders to forecast procurement needs.
• Analyze proposals and perform TCO comparisons.
• Ensure compliance with governance and purchasing policies.
• Identify cost savings and process improvements while reducing risk.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Enterprise software procurement

Spend analysis

Total Cost of Ownership

RFP/RFQ management

Cross-functional leadership

Commuting requirement

Flexible working hours

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Ariba

Coupa

Jaggaer

Oracle

SAP

Job description

Cypress HCM is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing initiatives for IT procurement, software licensing, and cloud services. You will drive end-to-end sourcing events, negotiate terms, negotiate with global technology vendors, and develop category strategies to optimize cost and mitigate risk.

You will partner with Legal, Finance, Security, and business leaders to align sourcing with business objectives, ensuring governance compliance and delivering measurable cost