Strategic Sourcing Category Lead: Network, Telecom & Cyber

Citizens; Johnston (RI); On-site; USD 139,680 - 248,320; Full time

Job summary

Citizens seeks a Category Team Manager within Strategic Sourcing to lead a team of sourcing professionals and drive multi‑year category strategies. You will serve as a trusted advisor to business line executives, shaping demand, procurement, and supplier negotiations in a regulated banking environment.

The role requires strong commercial judgment, executive communication, and a track record in complex negotiations, supplier performance, and risk‑aware decision making.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive experience in category management, vendor management and strategic sourcing.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex negotiations and enterprise‑wide sourcing initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen and financial modeling capability.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience working cross‑functionally and driving consensus across stakeholders.
• Executive‑level communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi‑year category strategies aligned to business and enterprise objectives.
• Define category vision, value targets, performance expectations, and strategic guardrails.
• Own annual category value targets, including cost savings, cost avoidance, and productivity improvements.
• Identify opportunities for demand management, specification optimization, and supplier rationalization.
• Track, measure, and report realized savings and category performance outcomes.
• Participate complex, cross‑functional sourcing initiatives, including RFIs, RFPs, and supplier negotiations.
• Inform fact‑based negotiation strategies supported by financial analysis and market insights.
• Partner closely Business, Strategic Sourcing, Risk, and Compliance teams to ensure appropriate commercial, regulatory alignment and performance levels and penalties.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships through structured governance, including performance scorecards and regular business reviews.
• Define and monitor supplier KPIs aligned to business outcomes.
• Proactively address supplier performance issues and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with third‑party risk, compliance, and information security partners to support effective risk management in a regulated environment.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders.
• Influence sourcing and demand decisions early in the planning cycle.
• Constructively challenge demand and assumptions to optimize enterprise outcomes.
• Present clear, executive‑ready insights and strategic recommendations.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of sourcing professionals to strengthen category management capabilities and drive consistent execution.
• Set clear performance expectations, priorities, and accountability measures aligned to enterprise sourcing objectives.
• Provide day‑to‑day guidance on complex sourcing strategies, stakeholder engagement, supplier negotiations, and issue resolution.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing team culture focused on continuous improvement and measurable business impact.
• Support resource planning, workload prioritization, and talent development for effective delivery across categories.

Skills

Category management

Vendor management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Financial modeling

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Education

MBA or CPSM or similar

Job description

Citizens seeks a Category Team Manager within Strategic Sourcing to lead a team of sourcing professionals and drive multi‑year category strategies. You will serve as a trusted advisor to business line executives, shaping demand, procurement, and supplier negotiations in a regulated banking environment.

The role requires strong commercial judgment, executive communication, and a track record in complex negotiations, supplier performance, and risk‑aware decision making.