Software Category Manager

JLL•Dallas, CO

6d•Remote

About The Position

The Category Manager, Software and Data Subscriptions is a senior procurement role responsible for developing, managing, and executing global category sourcing strategies across enterprise software, SaaS applications, and data and market subscription services. The position reports to the Category Director, Software, and partners with IT application owners, business stakeholders, and senior technology leaders across JLL’s regions to align sourcing with business objectives, deliver measurable value, and ensure access to market-leading software and data services. The role owns end-to-end category management for data and market subscriptions; enterprise software, SaaS applications, and enterprise licensing, including license optimization and true-up management; software asset management support and renewal calendar ownership; and vendor consolidation and rationalization across the software and data subscription supply base. Data and market subscriptions may be coordinated with the Professional Services category when they sit within that spend pool. The Category Manager develops category strategies and demand plans, manages supplier relationships and sourcing activity, leads procurement events and negotiations, tracks savings and value delivery, and ensures compliance with procurement policies and governance frameworks. Success is measured by savings and value delivered, growth in managed spend and contract coverage, timely renewal and true-up management, supply base and license optimization, and supplier relationship management performed to Centre of Excellence standards. This position does not provide visa sponsorship; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. The role is remote, with locations listed in Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX. Expected compensation is $130,000–$140,000 per year, with final compensation determined by factors including qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Requirements

At least 7 years of strategic sourcing experience, with the majority in software, SaaS, and/or data or information services categories.
Demonstrated experience managing category strategies across multiple regions.
Proven ability to lead complex, high-value procurement projects from strategy through execution.
Strong commercial acumen and experience in contract negotiation, total cost of ownership analysis, and supplier performance management.
Ability to build and sustain relationships with senior technology and business stakeholders.
Experience working with cross-functional teams across procurement, IT, finance, and operations.
Demonstrated success adopting AI to accelerate and enhance job functions.
Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in a relevant field such as Business, Supply Chain, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; visa sponsorship is not provided.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with major enterprise software publishers and SaaS commercial and licensing models.
Working knowledge of software asset management practices and license true-up processes.
Experience sourcing market data or research subscription services.
MBA or relevant advanced degree.
CPSM, CIPS, or equivalent procurement certification.
Experience in corporate real estate, facilities management, or professional services environments.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain short-, mid-, and long-term global category strategies for software and data subscriptions, aligned with JLL’s business strategy and technology roadmap.
Build and manage internal demand plans across sub-categories, identifying consolidation opportunities and emerging licensing and commercial models.
Partner with application owners and business stakeholders to incorporate regional requirements and global efficiency targets into category strategies.
Identify and execute sourcing opportunities, including platform consolidation and renewal optimization.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with software publishers, SaaS providers, and data and market subscription vendors.
Rationalize the supply base and maintain a strategic supplier framework for the category.
Own supplier relationship management according to the applicable framework, segmentation, and cadence in partnership with the Procurement Centre of Excellence; run reviews, manage scorecards, and capture outputs.
Complete third-party risk management activity in line with the TPRM framework.
Monitor market trends, licensing models, and pricing benchmarks to inform sourcing decisions.
Lead end-to-end procurement events, including RFP development, bid management, commercial evaluation, recommendations, and contract execution.
Deliver category financial targets, including cost savings, cost avoidance, and value-add outcomes.
Manage the category project calendar to ensure timely sourcing events and contract renewals.
Prepare and present contract documents and recommendations in line with JLL’s Delegation of Authority.
Maintain an accurate and current category savings tracker and provide stakeholders with visibility into value delivered.
Promote best practices, process improvement, and adoption of sourcing tools and technology as the category ambassador.
Ensure sourcing activity complies with JLL procurement policies, ethical standards, and governance frameworks.