Assistant Director - Category Management, Software and Infrastructure

AD Category Mgmt - FP07BE
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The Assistant Director, Software and Infrastructure Category Management is responsible for developing and executing category strategies for complex, high-value spend categories. Reporting to the AVP, Category Lead for Software & Infrastructure, this role manages categories typically ranging from $40M-$75M in annual spend and plays a critical role in translating enterprise procurement strategy into actionable category plans and measurable business outcomes.

Location

This role can have a hybrid or remote work arrangement. Candidates who live near Hartford will have an expectation of working in an office in alignment to our hybrid work schedule (currently three days per week (Tuesday through Thursday)). Candidates who live near other office locations may have a similar expectation or may have a remote work arrangement depending on location. Candidates who do not live near an office will have a remote work arrangement, with the expectation of coming into an office as business needs arise.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and executes category strategies aligned to enterprise objectives
• Conducts market analysis to understand trends, cost drivers, risks and opportunities
• Establishes category level objectives
• Functions as a trusted advisor for senior leaders through the category management and sourcing journey, providing clear recommendations and insights supported by data.
• Drives significant reductions in cost while optimizing value through demand- and supply-side opportunities.
• Identifies and mitigates supplier, commercial, operational, and compliance risks within assigned categories.
• Develops and implements category best practices.
• Leads end-to-end sourcing initiatives
• Develops negotiation strategies and leads supplier negotiations for commercial, risk and service outcomes.
• Drafts and negotiates contracts of varying complexity in partnership with Legal when needed, ensuring compliance with business, regulatory and risk requirements.
• Brings software market expertise to deliver both cost savings and business value.
• Ensures consistent contract quality, documentation standards and adherence to procurement policies.
• Uses spend analytics, performance dashboards, and sourcing insights to inform decisions and prioritize opportunities.
• Utilizes procurement technology to support the end-to-end procurement lifecycle and drive efficiency, transparency and value.
• Manages strategic supplier relationships and contract portfolios.
• Ensures accuracy and integrity of sourcing, supplier, and contract data within enterprise systems.
• Partners with business and functional stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with operational and strategic needs.
• Identifies opportunities to apply emerging tools and AI-enabled capabilities to category management activities.
• Maintains a high standard of customer engagement and service.
• Models enterprise leadership principles by driving results with accountability and integrity, partnering effectively across functions with an enterprise mindset, using data and insights to inform decisions, continuously improving how work gets done, contributing to a high-performing, inclusive team culture, embracing change and helping others adapt to evolving priorities and tools.

• Minimum 5 years of category management, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiation experience within the software category.
• Proven experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Experience leading market analysis and intelligence gathering.
• Extensive negotiation and contracting expertise.

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in procurement, supply chain, finance or business. Advanced degree or equivalent experience a plus.

• Strong strategic and execution mindset with knowledge of category management and sourcing best practices
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret spend data, market insights and performance metrics.
• Demonstrated success negotiating and structuring commercial agreements.
• Excellent stakeholder influence and relationship management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills, including leading cross-functional sourcing initiatives.
• Knowledge of change management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong customer-service orientation.
• Ability to manage ambiguity through influence and collaboration.
• Knowledge of source-to-pay processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; Coupa experience a plus.
• Innovative, curious mindset with an interest in modern procurement technologies and data-driven approaches.