Category Manager

**Partnering with Aquent, we are seeking exceptional talent to join a leading global organization dedicated to safeguarding the public and driving innovation across various industries. This organization is at the forefront of technological advancement, ensuring operational excellence and strategic growth through robust and efficient enterprise technology solutions.**

Are you a strategic thinker with a knack for negotiation and a passion for technology? We are looking for a dynamic **Category Manager** to step into a pivotal role, directly shaping the future of our enterprise technology landscape. You will be instrumental in driving multi-year, multi-million-dollar technology licensing negotiations and managing critical hardware and IT Professional Services agreements. Your expertise will directly impact our technology roadmap, ensuring the organization secures best-in-class solutions while optimizing value and mitigating risk. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your sourcing acumen, build influential relationships, and contribute significantly to our global operational efficiency and strategic objectives.

**Key Responsibilities:**

* Lead and manage the global technology procurement category portfolio, encompassing all enterprise software (on-premise, cloud, SaaS), hardware, communication platforms, and managed services, including IT Professional Services.

* Oversee all aspects of the IT sourcing lifecycle, from RFx development and strategic negotiations to the execution of legal agreements for new, renewal, or extension cycles of licensed products and services, including supporting governance approvals and business case development.

* Cultivate and expand key supplier relationships to ensure high service levels and best-in-class commercial terms; manage preferred supplier selection and review processes; strategically rationalize suppliers to consolidate buying power and simplify the supplier ecosystem.

* Build and enhance strong relationships with key business stakeholders across various departments, IT, Finance, Legal, and Cybersecurity to integrate strategic sourcing early in the process and serve as a trusted advisor.

* Lead critical sourcing initiatives, delivering process improvements and toolset implementations, and achieving optimal value within acceptable risk parameters.

* Ensure adherence to global sourcing policies and their consistent enforcement across the organization.

**What Makes You a Great Fit:**

**Must-Have Qualifications:**

* Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Information Technology, or a related field.

* 5+ years of experience in developing and executing category strategies specifically in IT Sourcing for software, hardware, and IT Professional Services.

* Exceptional communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills, with a strong focus on collaboration and partnership across all organizational levels.

* Proven ability to interact independently with and present confidently to senior leadership, including C-level executives.

* Experienced sourcing practitioner with a deep understanding of best-practice sourcing methodologies and a demonstrated track record of ethical and collaborative approaches to achieve excellent outcomes.

* Solid knowledge of standard commercial contracting practices and procedures.

* Demonstrated ability to take a hands-on approach to analyze and interpret spend data in support of sourcing initiatives and organizational business objectives.

* A proven track record of delivering significant and sustainable cost reductions through the effective development and execution of sourcing strategies.

* Strong process management, organizational, and effective time management skills.

* High attention to detail with strong documentation skills.

**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**

* Prior experience negotiating with leading enterprise software providers and major IT contracting and consulting firms.

* CPM/CPSM or PMP certification.

* Strong financial analysis skills, including proficiency in Excel.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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