🔥 Category Manager – IT Sourcing | Northbrook, IL (Hybrid 3 Days Onsite) – Contract to Hire, W2 🔥
Compensation: Up to $60/hr W2 (No C2C)
Position Type: Contract to Hire
Location: Northbrook, IL – Hybrid (3 days onsite)
Overview
TalentFish is seeking a Category Manager – IT Sourcing to lead strategic sourcing and procurement for enterprise technology solutions. This role ensures cost-effective, compliant, and value-driven vendor partnerships aligned with the organization’s long-term technology roadmap.
The Category Manager will manage enterprise software, SaaS, hardware, managed services, and IT professional services while partnering with Technology, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and senior business leadership.
Ideal Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, IT, or related field
- 5+ years of experience developing and executing IT category strategies across software, SaaS, hardware, and IT professional services
- Proven experience negotiating complex, multi-year, multi-million-dollar SaaS and enterprise software agreements
- Experience negotiating with major software vendors (Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft, ServiceNow) preferred
- Experience with IT consulting/contracting vendors (e.g., Infosys) preferred
- Strong knowledge of sourcing best practices, category management, and procurement lifecycle processes
- Experience working with senior leadership, including C-level executives
- Strong financial analysis skills; advanced Excel proficiency
- Knowledge of commercial contracting practices and legal agreement structures
- Proven ability to deliver sustainable cost reductions through strategic sourcing
- CPM, CPSM, or PMP certification a plus
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the global IT procurement category portfolio, including enterprise software, SaaS, cloud solutions, hardware, communications platforms, managed services, and IT professional services
- Execute end-to-end sourcing activities: RFx, negotiations, renewals, extensions, and legal agreement execution
- Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships; lead supplier rationalization and preferred supplier programs
- Partner with IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business units as a trusted sourcing advisor
- Consolidate buying power to improve efficiency and cost outcomes
- Ensure adherence to global sourcing policies and procedures
- Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes and vendor management practices
Compensation & Benefits
- W2 pay up to $60/hour
- Comprehensive benefits: health insurance, 401(k), paid time off
- Contract-to-hire with potential for full-time conversion
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship
📩 Interested candidates should send their resume to Lorie at lgironda@talentfish.com
