Procurement Category Manager - Hardware

About the Role We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Procurement Category Manager to join our team in Chicago. This hybrid role provides essential procurement and supplier expertise in strategic sourcing and category management, focusing on Hardware spend. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial and contractual experience and will deliver high quality, innovative, and cost effective procurement solutions to support the company objectives. Excellent verbal and written communication, strong organizational and time management skills, and the ability to collaborate with cross functional teams are essential. What You'll Do

• Lead and execute long term agreements through formal RFx methodologies.
• Analyze spend data and industry dynamics to identify, prioritize, and launch strategic sourcing initiatives for hardware categories.
• Identify value/savings opportunities, process improvements, and best practices within the hardware category.
• Establish positive relationships across business units to ensure active and early participation in supplier related matters.
• Lead negotiations in both financial and business matters, including commercial terms and risk mitigation for strategic contracts.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand requirements, budgets, and current gaps and challenges to develop the best strategic sourcing strategies for hardware.
• Support strategic sourcing best practices, including driving supplier segmentation, scorecards, and facilitating strategic business reviews in collaboration with business partners.
• Lead supplier contract renewals and leverage competitive pricing, quality, and customer service.
• Develop strategic relationships with existing or new key suppliers and ensure appropriate engagement levels exist to drive partnership objectives.
• Identify process improvements to increase efficiencies and maximize spend opportunity within the hardware category.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on business initiatives and procurement strategies related to hardware.
• Develop relationships with senior leadership.
• Provide subject matter expertise on complex purchasing, legal, and contractual issues.
• Perform supplier relationship management and reviews. What We're Looking For
• 8+ years of progressive procurement experience with a focus on Hardware categories preferred; experience with services or integrated solutions is a plus.
• Proven experience in budget planning and cost reduction strategies.
• Demonstrated ability in contract negotiations, operating effectively with minimal legal guidance.
• Ability to communicate effectively and facilitate presentations for Director or VP levels.
• Experience contributing to large or complex supplier deals.
• Preferred certifications: CPSM, MCIPS, CPM, PMP.
• Ability to travel up to 25% (minimal travel required).
• Basic requirements: Bachelor's Degree in business, finance or similar; 2+ years of procurement or supply chain experience; legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely.
• Travel requirements under 25%. Nice to Have
• Industry leading certifications CPSM, MCIPS, CPM, PMP.
• Experience managing hardware category within a large enterprise.
• Ability to navigate complex purchasing scenarios and engage senior stakeholders. Compensation & Benefits
• Target Base Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $180,000.00
• Incentive Bonus Plans
• Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
• 401K
• 10 Paid Holidays