Category Manager, Enterprise

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Category Manager, Enterprise based in the United States. Take ownership of strategic procurement initiatives that help organizations optimize costs, strengthen supplier relationships, and improve operational efficiency. As a Category Manager, you will manage supplier and business-client portfolios, develop category strategies, and negotiate agreements that support business priorities. You will collaborate with legal, risk management, compliance, information security, and procurement leadership to ensure effective contracting and responsible third-party risk management. This role combines independent decision-making with cross-functional collaboration in a globally distributed environment. You will also contribute to financial performance improvements and supplier diversity initiatives. The position is suited to an experienced procurement professional with strong commercial judgment, negotiation expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple business functions.

Partner with senior procurement leadership to align purchasing demands and priorities with business-client expectations and supply management objectives. Manage a portfolio of suppliers, overseeing agreements, renewals, and third-party risk management activities. Build and maintain relationships with assigned business clients to understand procurement needs, anticipate timelines, and influence purchasing strategies. Develop and implement category management strategies that control costs, optimize supplier performance, and ensure continuity of supply. Lead supplier negotiations for new agreements and renewals in collaboration with legal counsel, risk management, and business stakeholders. Negotiate statements of work and ordering documents with clients and suppliers to improve commercial outcomes and maximize the value of project investments. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with third-party agreements in collaboration with legal, risk management, governance, risk and compliance, and information security teams. Participate in supply management processes, including supplier onboarding, third-party risk management, stakeholder advisory boards, risk councils, and profit-and-loss improvement initiatives. Communicate effectively with business leaders, contribute to procurement team performance, and support financial improvement and supplier diversity goals. Lead cross-functional discussions and use stakeholder influence to resolve procurement challenges and achieve shared objectives. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Finance, Supply Management, Economics, or a technical or scientific field. At least seven years of professional experience in supply management, procurement, supplier management, category management, or related business office functions. Strong knowledge of procurement markets, industry terminology, commercial practices, and supplier management standards. Demonstrated experience negotiating and managing supplier agreements, contracts, statements of work, and ordering documents. Proven negotiation skills, particularly in performance-based commercial arrangements and shared-risk allocation. Experience using Coupa procure-to-pay or similar procurement systems. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and stakeholder influence skills. Ability to lead cross-functional meetings, prepare and deliver clear presentations, and communicate effectively with stakeholders at different organizational levels. Solid business acumen and an understanding of organizational structures, business processes, and information flows across multiple business units. Experience working with large nonprofit organizations, humanitarian services, or biomedical industries is desirable. An MBA or another advanced degree is an advantage. Ability to work during Eastern Time business hours to accommodate business-client availability. Comfortable appearing on video frequently for meetings using Microsoft Teams or similar platforms. Ability to maintain a professional and suitable home-office environment. Benefits: Fully remote work arrangement. Independent, 1099 contractor engagement. Autonomy to manage procurement portfolios and lead strategic initiatives. Opportunity to collaborate with a global team of more than 1,400 professionals. Exposure to complex supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing, and enterprise procurement initiatives. Opportunity to contribute to cost optimization, financial performance, and supplier diversity goals.