Category Manager – Professional Services

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States, +1 more country.

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement comprehensive sourcing and category management strategies for consultants, contract labor, staff augmentation, professional services, and related category expenditures.

• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with key suppliers and staffing partners.

• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify talent requirements, skill specifications, project timelines, and budget limitations.

• Perform market research and benchmarking to set baselines, recognize best practices, and keep abreast of industry trends.

• Oversee procurement processes, including RFx activities, vendor selection, rate negotiations, and contract finalization.

• Manage contract discussions with vendors and service providers.

• Work in conjunction with Legal and Finance on onboarding, contracting, compliance, and invoicing matters.

• Promote cost efficiency and value generation by uncovering savings opportunities, overseeing expenditures, negotiating rates, and achieving measurable ROI.

• Supervise supplier performance through business reviews, quality evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Create business cases and presentations for sourcing decisions, cost-saving measures, and vendor suggestions.

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of staffing markets, professional services ecosystems, and best practices in talent management.

• Track and report on expenditures, headcount, savings, vendor performance, and compliance metrics.

• Collaborate with business leaders, department heads, HR, Finance, Legal, IT, procurement team members, category managers, sourcing specialists, and external talent providers.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement experience.

• At least 3 years of proven experience managing talent categories, including staffing, consulting, professional services, or contract labor.

• Demonstrated success in cost savings, contract negotiations, and vendor relationship management.

• Extensive knowledge of staffing markets, talent ecosystems, and the professional services industry.

• Familiarity with HR processes, compliance requirements (W-2, 1099, visa sponsorship), and the implications of employment law.

• Strategic mindset.

• Superior negotiation and contract management abilities.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication capabilities, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.

• Proficiency in procurement systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Capability to manage multiple priorities and projects concurrently.

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment that spans various geographies and time zones.

• Results-driven with a proven record of delivering tangible business impact.

• Resourceful and entrepreneurial; adept at driving projects with limited resources.

• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively across various functions and cultural backgrounds.

• Strong work ethic with a sense of urgency to see initiatives through to completion.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, HR, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.

• Must possess authorization to work in the country where the position is located.

• JD Power will not sponsor visa applications for this position.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunities for occasional travel to engage with vendors, clients, and internal stakeholders.

• A diverse and inclusive workplace environment.

• Recruitment and selection accommodations are available.