About the job
We are seeking a Principal Category Leader to lead strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category strategy initiatives across software, hardware, and telecommunications spend categories. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, driving cost savings, supplier performance, contract negotiations, and long-term sourcing strategies while building strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and key suppliers.
Responsibilities
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for IT categories (software, hardware, telecom)
- Develop and execute category management strategies
- Conduct supplier evaluations, market analysis, and risk assessments
- Negotiate contracts and drive cost savings initiatives
- Manage key supplier relationships and supplier performance programs
- Lead RFPs, sourcing events, supplier selection, and contract negotiations
- Partner with business leaders to align sourcing strategies with corporate goals
- Monitor market trends, supplier risks, and industry developments
- Support executive-level procurement and sourcing decision-making
- Drive vendor optimization, supplier diversity, and total cost of ownership initiatives
Required Skills
- 10+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, strategic sourcing, or related fields
- Strong sourcing lifecycle management experience
- Demonstrated success negotiating contracts and achieving significant cost savings
- Experience managing software, hardware, and/or telecommunications categories
- Experience developing and executing category management strategies
- Strong supplier relationship management and supplier performance management experience
- Experience leading complex contract negotiations and major sourcing initiatives
- Proficiency with Ariba
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence stakeholders and senior leadership across multiple business units
- Knowledge of contract processes, licensing agreements, and procurement best practices
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision
- Strong collaboration, partnership-building, and cross-functional leadership skills
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
Preferred Skills
- Master's degree in Business Administration or a related discipline
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification
- Lean Six Sigma certification
- Utility industry experience
- Experience working with enterprise systems such as SAP, ERP platforms, Teradata, COBIT, or similar technologies
- Experience serving as a category or commodity subject matter expert
- Advanced supplier risk management expertise
- Proven ability to establish industry best practices and influence sourcing strategies at an enterprise level
- Experience supporting executive and officer-level strategic decision-making