Category Manager (Technology Sourcing)

Okta • San Francisco, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Okta’s Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team is seeking an experienced Procurement/Category Manager to support the company’s continued growth and lead or co-lead global sourcing initiatives for its Technology organization. The role covers complex, high-value sourcing projects and contract negotiations across technology categories such as Software, Network, SaaS, IaaS, Telephony, AI, and related requirements. The manager develops and executes procurement strategies, leads strategic sourcing events, negotiates supplier terms, analyzes data, and works with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to meet business needs, ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and deliver cost savings and avoidance.

The position partners with internal business teams and functions including Finance, Legal, Security, and Privacy. It manages supplier performance and uses spend analytics to identify opportunities for streamlining and consolidation. The role reports to the Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Technology. It is a hybrid office role requiring two days per week in the office, based in Bellevue, Washington, or the San Francisco Bay Area, with travel as needed.

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

Benefits

• Equity, where applicable.
• Bonus.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k).
• Flexible spending account.
• Paid leave, including PTO and parental leave, in accordance with applicable plans and policies.
• Immersive, in-person onboarding experience.

What This Job Offers

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