Category Manager - Technology/IT

TEKsystems • Minneapolis, MN

20h • $45 - $50 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager supports the organization’s sourcing and procurement objectives by managing assigned spend categories, developing category strategies, and optimizing supplier performance. The role contributes to operational and financial goals by identifying cost-saving opportunities, improving supplier value, and ensuring sourcing decisions align with organizational policies and risk standards. It strengthens procurement practices through data-driven insights, market analysis, and effective supplier engagement, while maintaining alignment with business stakeholders across the organization.

Requirements

• 2 to 4 years of experience in sourcing practices, category management principles, and supplier evaluation methods.
• Ability to analyze spend data, market trends, and supplier proposals to support strategic sourcing decisions.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms and managing sourcing events such as RFPs and RFIs.
• Familiarity with contract language, risk considerations, and procurement policies.
• Proficiency with procurement and contract management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with solid financial acumen.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage and influence stakeholders effectively.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the role, or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in business intelligence and the ability to translate data insights into sourcing strategies.
• Experience in procurement, including category management and supplier relationship management.
• Project management skills to coordinate sourcing events, stakeholder input, and implementation activities.
• Comfort working in a hybrid or remote environment while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned spend categories end to end, including strategy development, sourcing execution, supplier evaluation, and ongoing category performance monitoring.
• Conduct market research, spend analysis, and benchmarking to identify opportunities for cost optimization, value enhancement, and risk reduction.
• Lead sourcing events such as RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations for moderately complex goods and services.
• Analyze supplier proposals, commercial terms, and pricing structures to support decision-making and recommend sourcing solutions.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand requirements, align sourcing strategies, and support operational and strategic needs.
• Support contract development and negotiation with category insights, supplier data, and commercial recommendations aligned with risk and policy standards.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed metrics, identify issues, and partner with internal teams on corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate documentation, category plans, and supplier records in procurement and contract management systems.
• Contribute to improvements in sourcing processes, tools, and templates to increase efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Support budgeting and forecasting with category insights, spend projections, and analysis.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage, subject to eligibility.
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available, subject to eligibility.
• Voluntary life insurance and AD&D coverage for employees and dependents, subject to eligibility.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Health Spending Account (HSA), subject to eligibility.
• Transportation benefits, subject to eligibility.
• Employee Assistance Program, subject to eligibility.
• Time off/leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, subject to eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level