Category Manager, Technology Sourcing

Okta•San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Okta’s Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead and co-lead global sourcing initiatives for its Technology organization. The role develops and executes procurement strategies and manages complex, high-value sourcing projects and contract negotiations across technology categories, including software, network, SaaS, IaaS, telephony, AI, and related requirements. The position uses data analytics and collaborates with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to meet business needs, create value, ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and deliver cost savings and avoidance. This hybrid role requires working in the office two days per week and being based in either Bellevue, Washington, or the San Francisco Bay Area. The position reports to the Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Technology.

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 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 more 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 activities, including RFx processes, 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 purchasing transactions.
Build strategic relationships with senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners, including Finance, Legal, Security, and Privacy, to align sourcing with business requirements and follow applicable policies and procedures.
Lead supplier performance reviews and measure key suppliers against contract SLAs and expectations, managing remediation as needed.
Work with internal subject matter authorities to ensure policies and procedures are followed.
Analyze category spend to identify opportunities to streamline and consolidate spend, and provide findings and recommendations to leadership.