Senior Category Manager – Professional Services

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

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement multiyear category strategies that align with business goals and procurement value objectives.

• Create strategic sourcing plans, initiative pipelines, and category roadmaps for designated Indirect categories.

• Utilize market intelligence, supplier segmentation, business demand trends, and risk mitigation strategies to guide sourcing approaches.

• Implement category strategies across areas such as consulting, legal, audit, tax, engineering, and financial advisory services.

• Oversee comprehensive sourcing events, ensuring stakeholder alignment, supplier selection, RFP/RFQ execution, analysis, negotiations, and award recommendations.

• Develop negotiation strategies that focus on commercial value, service expectations, risk, contract flexibility, and supplier performance.

• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Compliance, and business stakeholders on contract evaluations and business decisions.

• Manage essential supplier relationships, conduct supplier performance reviews, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement.

• Achieve annual P&L Reduction and P&L Protection targets through effective sourcing, negotiation, demand management, supplier optimization, working capital management, savings validation, and budget impact assessment.

• Monitor sourcing outcomes, confirm benefits with Finance, and assist in leadership reporting.

• Establish preferred supplier programs to consolidate spending and ensure governance in professional services.

• Directly oversee Category Managers, Analysts, Specialists, and other members of the procurement team.

• Offer coaching, feedback, talent development planning, workload prioritization, governance, and performance management.

• Guide team members on category strategies, sourcing discipline, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation preparation.

• Foster collaboration, accountability, process alignment, and adherence to consistent procurement standards.

• Cultivate executive stakeholder relationships and position Procurement as a key strategic business partner.

• Collaborate with the CFO, Finance, General Counsel, and corporate leaders to ensure early engagement in procurement and visibility for leadership.

• Implement a finance-supported spend control tower to enhance transparency and assess functional budget impacts.

• Lead intricate cross-functional initiatives and influence senior leaders to meet enterprise goals.

• Advocate for the adoption of procurement strategies, processes, and technologies.

• Balance stakeholder priorities with governance, risk management, and business needs.

• Encourage collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across Procurement and business functions.

• Leverage digital procurement technologies, data analytics, and process automation to enhance decision-making and stakeholder outcomes.

• Utilize procurement platforms and analytical tools for category strategy development, sourcing execution, supplier management, and performance reporting.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, category management, finance, or a related field.

• At least 3 years of direct leadership experience is preferred or required depending on organizational needs.

• Comprehensive understanding of indirect procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, and procurement best practices across various spend categories.

• Proficient in managing complex sourcing events, supplier negotiations, and cross-functional procurement initiatives.

• Experience in managing business stakeholders and indirect supplier relationships.

• Proven track record in delivering measurable savings or value outcomes.

• Practical experience with procurement platforms and analytical tools.

• Ability to utilize digital procurement technologies, data analytics, and process automation effectively.

• Inside working conditions.

• No environmental hazards are noted for this classification.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare package: medical, dental, and vision plans commence on day one for full-time employees.

• Educational support for eligible employees enrolled in an approved, accredited collegiate program.

• Employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage.

• Optional supplemental life, hospitalization, critical illness, and other insurance plans.

• Adoption assistance.

• Fertility benefits.

• Parental leave.

• Health Savings Account (HSA).

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• Sick days and short-term leave.

• Holidays, vacation days, personal days, and various types of leave.

• Teammate Assistance Program (TAP).

• Calm Health.

• Cancer Resource Services.

• Discount programs.