Category Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop and sustain a comprehensive overview of SaaS and software applications, including ownership, contracts, renewal timelines, expenditures, license quantities, and usage metrics.

• Detect instances of software overlap, redundancy, and shadow IT, and formulate plans for consolidation.

• Oversee the renewal calendar and engage stakeholders 120–180 days prior to renewal dates.

• Optimize license counts and negotiate co-terms, multi-year pricing, price protections, and flexible true-down rights.

• Collaborate with IT, Security, and business leaders on decisions between platform versus point-solution options, as well as tool retirement or replacement.

• Create and implement intake and approval workflows for new software acquisitions, addressing duplication, security, privacy, and cost considerations.

• Formulate and execute category strategies across designated indirect spend categories.

• Lead RFI, RFP, and RFQ processes from gathering requirements through vendor selection, negotiation, and awarding contracts.

• Negotiate commercial terms and collaborate with Legal on SLAs, liability issues, data protection, terminations, and renewals.

• Oversee supplier performance and risk through business reviews, scorecards, due diligence, and coordination with Legal, Privacy, and Security teams.

• Enforce procurement policies and approval processes, ensuring an approved PO is secured before signing.

• Maintain supplier and contract documentation to ensure readiness for audits.

• Report on spending, savings, sourcing pipelines, and supplier risks to Procurement leadership and Finance using established methodologies.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 5 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or category management.

• Significant responsibility for SaaS or software expenditures.

• Proven track record of achieving measurable savings through vendor consolidation, license optimization, and negotiation strategies.

• Experience in negotiating SaaS and software agreements, including subscription terms, usage metrics, renewals, true-ups, and price protections.

• Proficient understanding of commercial contract terms and capability to collaborate with Legal.

• Exceptional analytical skills, encompassing spend analysis, utilization analysis, and business case development in Excel or similar tools.

• Capability to influence engineers, executives, and budget holders while fostering cross-functional alignment without formal authority.

• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.

• Experience in a high-growth technology firm or a company that is preparing for, or has recently completed, an IPO (preferred).

• Familiarity with SaaS management, spend-visibility, procurement, or ERP platforms (preferred).

• Experience managing cloud, data, or infrastructure categories (preferred).

• Background in supporting security, privacy, or third-party risk evaluations (preferred).

• CPSM, CIPS, or equivalent professional certification (preferred).

• Legally permitted to work for any employer in the United States without restrictions.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equity

• Bonus

• Remote work

• Access to AI tools, workflows, and opportunities for experimentation

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

• Interview accommodations for candidates with disabilities

• Participation in a voluntary and anonymous EEOC survey that does not impact employment opportunities or terms

• Protection under the Applicant Privacy Policy