Associate Category Manager, Indirect Technology Procurement
About The Position
The Associate Category Manager supports Columbia Sportswear’s Technology Procurement function by shaping how the company evaluates, invests in, and derives value from technology. The role partners with Technology leaders to influence category and supplier strategies, guide investments, lead commercial negotiations, and maximize value from technology spending across the enterprise. It involves exposure to senior stakeholders, strategic suppliers, and enterprise-wide initiatives, and contributes to Procurement’s development as a trusted business partner. The position is designated as hybrid and based at Columbia Sportswear’s headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is to work onsite four days per week; this requirement may change based on business needs and at the company’s discretion. Travel may be required up to 10%.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Information Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field.
- A minimum of 3–5 years of experience in technology procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, vendor management, technology business operations, software asset management, FinOps, technology consulting, or other technology-related commercial roles.
- Experience supporting indirect spend categories such as software, SaaS, cloud services, telecommunications, IT infrastructure, technology services, or professional services.
- Demonstrated experience developing category strategies, leading sourcing initiatives, and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Experience managing strategic supplier relationships, governance programs, performance reviews, and executive business engagements.
- Strong analytical, communication, stakeholder management, and project management skills.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive outcomes in a cross-functional environment.
- Proficiency with procurement technologies, ERP systems, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to travel up to 10%.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute category strategies for assigned indirect technology spend areas using spend analytics, supplier intelligence, market trends, and stakeholder priorities.
- Manage strategic relationships with key technology suppliers, influencing supplier performance and product roadmaps, driving innovation, and improving business outcomes.
- Lead complex sourcing initiatives and commercial negotiations across software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, telecommunications, hardware, and technology services.
- Partner with Technology leaders to understand business priorities, technology roadmaps, and operational challenges, and provide market insights, supplier intelligence, and commercial expertise to support investment decisions and strategic objectives.
- Drive supplier governance, executive business reviews, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, commercial optimization, operational efficiencies, and risk mitigation.
- Contribute to the evolution of Procurement as a strategic business partner through process improvement, knowledge sharing, and adoption of best practices.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with a generous company match
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- Flexible spending accounts
- Health savings account
- Voluntary benefits, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services
- Free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services through EAP+
- Wellness benefits
- Employee discounts
- Generous time off program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
