Category Manager, Technology Sourcing

Okta•Bellevue, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Okta’s Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team is seeking an experienced Category Manager to support the company’s Technology organization globally. The role leads and co-leads sourcing initiatives, including complex, high-value projects and contract negotiations across technology categories such as software, network, SaaS, IaaS, telephony, AI, and related requirements. The position develops and executes procurement strategies, conducts strategic sourcing events, negotiates supplier terms, and uses data analytics to identify opportunities and deliver value, compliance, cost savings, and cost avoidance. The Category Manager builds relationships with internal business partners and cross-functional teams to support negotiations, risk mitigation, and supplier management. The role reports to the Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Technology. It is a hybrid office position requiring two days per week in the office, based in Bellevue, Washington, or the San Francisco Bay Area.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
3–5 years of experience in technology sourcing and procurement, including category management, strategic sourcing, consulting, vendor management, risk management, and/or procurement in a large global company environment.
Deep understanding of technology contract law, commercial terms, and risk requirements.
Ability to distinguish high-stakes, irreversible commitments from fast, reversible decisions.
Ability to take ownership of multiple fast-moving projects and deliver consistently in a high-tempo environment with tight deadlines.
Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a dynamic, fast-paced setting with general guidance from senior roles.
Ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification such as CSCP, CPSM, or CPIM.
Experience supporting M&A-related sourcing activity, including contract novation and consolidation.
Proficiency in Workday Strategic Sourcing (Scout), Coupa, or Ironclad.

Responsibilities

Develop sourcing strategies for technology categories in support of business initiatives, identifying risks and dependencies with internal partners.
Lead and support strategic sourcing processes, including RFx events, supplier evaluations, projects, and day-to-day commercial contract negotiations.
Negotiate commercial terms for project-level agreements and partner with Legal on Master Service Agreements and related exhibits.
Identify and execute cost-optimization opportunities, improve service levels, and drive efficiency within assigned categories.
Identify and mitigate internal and external risks associated with technology purchase transactions.
Build strategic relationships with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, including Finance, Legal, Security, and Privacy.
Ensure sourcing initiatives align with business requirements and that policies and procedures are followed.
Lead supplier performance review meetings and measure key suppliers against contract SLAs and expectations, managing remediation as needed.
Conduct spend analytics to identify opportunities to streamline and consolidate spend, and provide findings and recommendations to leadership.