Category Manager

Job Details Job Title: Category Manager Location-Type: Hybrid (3x/week onsite in Northbrook, IL 60062) Start Date Is: ASAP (May 4, 2026 target) Duration: 5 Month Contract to Hire Compensation Range: $60-70/hr W2 Benefits: Eligible for Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Not eligible for Visa sponsorship Job Description Responsible for leading strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives across enterprise technology categories, including software, hardware, and IT services. Day-to-Day Responsibilities Manage global IT procurement categories including SaaS, hardware, and professional services Lead end-to-end sourcing lifecycle (RFx, negotiations, contract execution) Negotiate enterprise-level software agreements and renewals Build and manage supplier relationships to optimize cost and performance Partner with IT, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders on sourcing strategy Drive supplier consolidation and cost-saving initiatives Ensure compliance with sourcing policies and governance Lead strategic sourcing initiatives and process improvements Requirements Must-Haves: 5+ years of IT sourcing/category management experience Strong experience negotiating enterprise SaaS/software contracts Experience managing RFx processes and vendor negotiations Knowledge of IT procurement across software, hardware, and services Strong stakeholder management experience (including senior leadership) Financial analysis and spend data analysis experience Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, IT, or related field Nice-to-Haves: Experience negotiating with major vendors (e.g., Oracle, Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow) Experience with IT consulting vendors (e.g., Client, Infosys) CPM, CPSM, or PMP certification Advanced Excel skills #J-18808-Ljbffr