Category Manager MGT - IT

Patterson-UTI•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager — IT owns sourcing strategy, contract management, and supplier relationships for software, SaaS, telecommunications, and IT services spend across Patterson-UTI Management Services and affiliated operating companies. This role leads enterprise software negotiations and renewals end-to-end — from RFP through contract execution and ongoing supplier management — partnering closely with IT, Information Security, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders. The position carries direct accountability for negotiated savings, contractual risk management, renewal discipline, and cost avoidance across a high-volume, high-complexity contract portfolio.

Requirements

Self-motivated with the ability to influence decisions and drive results across multiple business units without direct authority
Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to conduct effective presentations and communicate complex contract terms to business and technical stakeholders
Superior analytical skills: spend analysis, should-cost modeling, license utilization analysis, and savings tracking in Excel
Demonstrated ability to evaluate and negotiate complex SaaS, software, and telecommunications contracts including commercial terms, SLAs, and renewal structures
Ability to manage cross-functional relationships across IT, InfoSec, Legal, Finance, and business leadership
Working knowledge of software licensing models (per-user, consumption-based, enterprise license) and telecom/mobility contract structures
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook); experience with Coupa or comparable P2P/CLM platform preferred
Ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field
5+ years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management experience with a concentration in software, SaaS, or IT categories
Must have and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license and meet company vehicle eligibility requirements

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field
Supply Chain related certification (CPSM, CPM)
Energy, oilfield services, or industrial environments experience
Coupa contract lifecycle management (CLM) experience
Familiarity with IT security review processes and data processing agreement requirements

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategy for enterprise software, SaaS, telecommunications, mobility, and IT services spend across multiple business units
Lead strategic sourcing events (RFPs/RFQs) for the category from requirements development through award and implementation
Negotiate SaaS and enterprise license agreements end-to-end: pricing and per-user rates, renewal escalation caps, licensed-user definitions, SLAs and service credits, liability and indemnification terms, and data security and privacy exhibits
Own the software and SaaS renewal calendar; drive proactive demand management and license right-sizing ahead of renewal dates to eliminate waste and reduce renewal risk
Manage telecommunications and mobility agreements, including wireless carrier contracts, device programs, and enterprise connectivity spend across operating companies
Partner with IT, Information Security, and Legal on contract terms, security review coordination, and data privacy requirements; coordinate commercial redlines with the contracts team’s pre-legal review process
Manage supplier performance and conduct regular business reviews with key software, SaaS, and telecom vendors
Track and report negotiated savings, cost avoidance, and contract value against annual category targets
Support procure-to-pay and contract lifecycle management processes in Coupa, including supplier enablement, contract repository accuracy, and expiration tracking
Identify and analyze market data to support sourcing strategy, benchmarking, and rate negotiations
Promote a diverse and inclusive work environment and perform other related duties as assigned