Category Manager (Purchasing - Tech & IT)

Fresenius Kabi USA • Lake Zurich, IL

1d • $125,000 - $147,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager (Tech & IT) is a strategic procurement leader for the Americas, responsible for executing globally defined category strategies and translating them into regional sourcing plans and a measurable value pipeline across software, cloud, hardware, network/telecom, cybersecurity, and IT services. The role blends global alignment with hands on sourcing execution, leading complex negotiations, optimizing licensing and commercial models, and managing supplier performance and risk. It partners closely with IT, Security, Data Protection, Legal, Finance, and Quality/CSV to drive value creation, cost optimization, innovation, and risk mitigation while ensuring adherence to global procurement frameworks. The position also provides market intelligence and regional insights to Global Category Management to refine supplier ecosystems and standards. This position requires working onsite 3 days per week at our U.S. headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL. This position does not offer visa sponsorship either now or in the future. • Salary Range: $125,000-147,000. • Position is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan with a target of 10% of the base salary. • Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience level, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities. • Our benefits and programs are comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted to ensure our colleagues live healthy lives and have support when it matters most. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree or advanced certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.
• 8+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing or category management, with a strong focus on IT & Technology.
• Proven experience managing regional or global categories within a complex, multinational organization.
• Willingness to work in a global, multicultural environment and travel up to 20%.
• Working knowledge across key IT domains, including: Software & Cloud commercials ITAM/SAM operating models and tooling Cybersecurity, privacy, and regulated IT environments Telecom, network, and hardware categories Contracting principles Analytics and reporting (e.g., spend cube design, savings/avoidance methodologies)
• Ability to drive standardization initiatives (catalogs, rate cards), mandated processes, and intake‑to‑contract governance.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Proficient user of SAP Ariba or similar sourcing tools (Sourcing and Supplier Management modules).
• Working knowledge of SAP ERP for procurement, contract, and supplier master data management.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or advanced certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Governance Develop and execute end-to-end category strategy for Fresenius Kabi Technology & IT spend across the Americas, aligned with global category objectives. Translate global strategies into regional execution roadmaps, reflecting local market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and business needs. Lead category planning, demand forecasting, and pipeline management for key IT initiatives.
• Strategic Sourcing & Execution Lead / Co-lead complex sourcing initiatives (RFPs/RFQs, negotiations, contract awards) for global & regional IT portfolios. Negotiate commercial, contractual, and service-level agreements to deliver measurable value (productivity, quality, speed, innovation). Ensure compliance with corporate procurement policies, financial controls, and risk standards.
• Supplier & Contract Management Drive supplier performance management, QBRs, and continuous improvement initiatives. Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, innovation partnerships, and risk mitigation.
• Stakeholder Management Act as a trusted business partner to IT leadership, Finance, Commercial Excellence, Legal, Risk, Data Protection, IT Security and regional business stakeholders. Influence senior stakeholders by providing data-driven insights, market intelligence, and commercial recommendations. Support major IT transformation and digital initiatives from a procurement and commercial perspective.
• Value Creation & Continuous Improvement Deliver measurable outcomes in cost effectiveness, value realization and risk reduction. Contribute to the evolution and adoption of procurement processes, tools, policies as well as Global IT Governance frameworks. Drive cross-regional collaboration and best-practice sharing across Global IT Procurement teams. Improve cost transparency across sub-categories through standardized rate cards, engagement models, and spend analytics.

Benefits

• Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level