IT Category Manager

Cushman & Wakefield•Chicago, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

As an IT Category Manager on the Cushman & Wakefield Procurement team, you will support Technology & Data Solutions (TDS) by leading planning and purchasing for software, hardware, cloud, telecom, data, and IT services. In partnership with TDS and business leaders, you will develop buying strategies, lead sourcing and negotiations, manage contracts and renewals, and oversee key suppliers. The role aims to reduce risk and deliver savings, improved service, and new ideas in accordance with C&W Procurement policies and business priorities. The position serves as a trusted procurement advisor to TDS and cross-functional partners in a global, matrixed company. It involves translating business and technology roadmaps into sourcing plans, monitoring category and supplier performance, improving procurement processes, and coaching junior team members and sourcing partners as needed. The role is remote, with occasional travel of less than 10% for conferences, supplier meetings, or internal C&W meetings. The compensation range is $97,750 to $115,000. Eligible employees may enroll in benefit programs generally including health, vision, and dental insurance; flexible spending and health savings accounts; retirement savings plans; life and disability insurance; and paid and unpaid time away from work. Pay may vary based on factors including location, job type, hours worked, business line, collective bargaining coverage, experience, and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in IT category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or a similar role, including leading complex sourcing and negotiations that deliver on financial targets.
Knowledge of IT buying categories, including software and SaaS, hardware, cloud, telecom, data, professional and managed services, and emerging technology.
Working knowledge of IT contracting and licensing, data privacy, information security, intellectual property, compliance, and supplier risk.
Strong analytical, financial, and presentation skills, including ability to analyze spend and market data, build business cases, and present recommendations to senior leaders.
Proficiency with Smartsheet, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills, with ability to collaborate with IT, Legal, Finance, Risk, business leaders, and suppliers in a global, matrixed company.
Organized, business-minded, and self-driven, with ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, work through ambiguity, and deliver results with limited supervision.
Experience driving change, improving processes, and following procurement policy.
Comfort working remotely with a global team and occasional travel of less than 10% for conferences, supplier meetings, or internal C&W meetings.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree.
A certification such as CPSM (formerly C.P.M.) or CIPS.
Experience with source-to-pay or contract management tools.

Responsibilities

Develop and carry out buying strategies for software, hardware, cloud, telecom, data, professional services, and other technology spend, aligned with TDS and company priorities.
Translate business and technology roadmaps into practical sourcing plans that balance cost, capability, service, and risk.
Own category plans, including demand, market research, sourcing pipeline, savings targets, and supplier strategy; update Procurement and business leaders on progress, risks, and recommendations.
Lead supplier selection, onboarding, relationship management, performance reviews, and improvement plans for preferred IT suppliers and key technology partners.
Partner with business teams to resolve supplier issues involving quality, capacity, risk, or cost.
Lead RFPs, RFQs, renewals, and negotiations for IT goods and services from request through award and rollout.
Review and negotiate contracts, statements of work, and amendments with Legal.
Analyze spend, pricing, usage, licensing, and total cost of ownership to find savings, avoid costs, and improve value.
Develop negotiation strategies and business cases, lead cross-functional supplier evaluations, and deliver measurable savings and value.
Identify and reduce cybersecurity, data privacy, regulatory, licensing, and third-party risks.
Maintain accurate contract records, renewal dates, and approvals in company systems.
Advise TDS, business units, Finance, Legal, Risk, Security, and other partners on IT procurement.
Build support with senior leaders and influence decisions that advance category strategies.
Provide updates, recommendations, dashboards, and scorecards tracking savings, compliance, supplier performance, and risk.
Improve procurement processes from intake and sourcing through supplier management and contract tracking, promoting standard processes, automation, preferred suppliers, and tools.
Coach junior team members and sourcing partners on category knowledge, analysis, negotiation, and procurement processes as needed.