Category Manager (Technology Sourcing)

Okta • Bellevue, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Okta’s Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team is hiring an experienced Category Manager to lead global sourcing activities for Technology spend. The role manages complex, high-value sourcing projects and contract negotiations across technology categories including Software, Network, SaaS, IaaS, Telephony, AI, and other direct or indirect technology requirements. The Category Manager is a senior partner to Technology stakeholders, owns sourcing strategy for complex and high-impact categories, leads negotiations and cost-saving initiatives, and helps maintain service quality while mitigating risk. The role also provides guidance and mentorship to junior Category Managers and serves as an escalation point for Tactical Sourcing on technology matters.

The position calls for a proactive, organized, collaborative professional who can work in a fast-paced environment with substantial autonomy. It reports to the Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Technology. This is a hybrid role 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.
• At least 5 years of experience in Technology sourcing and procurement, including areas such as Infrastructure, SaaS, Telecom, IaaS, or AI, in a large, global company environment.
• Experience in category management, strategic sourcing, vendor management, risk management, and/or procurement.
• Ability to independently lead complex contract and commercial-term negotiations, with a deep understanding of technology contract law, commercial terms, and risk requirements.
• Ability to own complex, high-dollar, or high-risk sourcing projects end to end with minimal oversight.
• Experience mentoring or guiding junior category managers or sourcing staff.
• Ability to develop data models and spend analyses that inform senior leadership decisions and present findings and recommendations in an executive-ready format.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience building trust and alignment with senior business stakeholders, cross-functional partners, and key vendors.
• Experience managing strategic relationships with an organization’s highest-spend or most critical suppliers and serving as an escalation point.
• Advanced proficiency with sourcing and contract systems such as Workday Strategic Sourcing/Scout, Coupa, or Ironclad, and experience improving how these tools are used across category management.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications such as CSCP, CPSM, or CPIM.
• Experience driving M&A-related sourcing activity, including contract novation and consolidation.
• A track record of process or policy improvements scaled across a sourcing function.
• Proficiency with analytics and reporting, with a data-oriented approach to category strategy and negotiations.
• Experience with ERP and financial systems; familiarity with Coupa and Workday Strategic Sourcing (Scout).
• Ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead sourcing strategies for Technology categories in partnership with senior stakeholders, understanding long-term needs and delivering measurable value.
• Gather business and technical requirements for RFx documentation, and develop internal presentations and business cases to secure management approval for multi-year supplier agreements.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing processes, including RFx events, supplier evaluations, and commercial contract negotiations for complex, high-value technology initiatives.
• Negotiate commercial terms for project-level agreements and partner with Legal on Master Service Agreements and related exhibits.
• Identify and lead cost-optimization initiatives across strategic Technology categories; analyze supplier proposals and identify and mitigate risks associated with technology purchases.
• Build strategic relationships with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, including Finance, Legal, Security, and Privacy, and ensure policies and procedures are followed.
• Own relationship strategies for strategic or highest-spend Technology suppliers, lead supplier performance reviews, and escalate supplier issues or negotiations beyond junior team members’ authority.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures; guide and mentor junior team members and serve as an escalation point.
• Build data models and spend analyses to inform leadership decisions, identify portfolio streamlining and consolidation opportunities, and brief leadership on strategy progress, savings, and market trends in an executive-ready format.

Benefits

• Equity, where applicable.
• Bonus.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k).
• Flexible spending account.
• Paid leave, including PTO and parental leave.
• Well-being support, social impact opportunities, talent development, and connection and community programs.

What This Job Offers

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