Lumen Technologies
Website:
lumen.com
Job details:
Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up – committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress. We’re invested in providing the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Apply now to continue digitally connecting the world and shaping the future
Role Summary
The Category Manager is responsible for the strategy, sourcing, negotiation, and contracting of assigned categories, with a focus on both products and services. This role leverages digital and AI tools to drive category outcomes, supports initiatives to optimize cost and supplier performance, and manages moderately complex negotiations and contracts.
Key Responsibilities - Category Analysis & Strategy
- Perform internal and external category analysis (spend, market, risk, innovation).
- Leverage AI-enabled analytics and procurement tools to identify savings opportunities, demand patterns, supplier risks, and negotiation levers.
- Utilize AI tools to accelerate RFx development, proposal analysis, and commercial comparisons.
- Apply data-driven and AI-assisted insights to support negotiation strategies and recommendations.
- Category Strategy & Execution
- Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives and budget targets.
- Drive savings, cost avoidance, and value creation through sourcing, negotiations, and demand management.
- Track and report on category performance metrics.
- Contracting & Negotiation
- Support negotiation and management of services contracts, including MSAs, SOWs, rate cards, SLAs, and change management provisions.
- Analyze and negotiate commercial terms related to labor rates, productivity, escalation, and service levels.
- Partner with Legal and Contracting Excellence to mitigate risk while preserving commercial flexibility.
- Lead moderately complex commercial negotiations for services-based categories, balancing cost, risk, and service quality.
- RFx Execution
- Prepare and execute RFx strategies for assigned categories.
- Ensure disciplined, efficient execution in partnership with the RFx Execution team.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Prepare analysis and recommendations for senior leaders.
- Lead discussions with Director and occasional VP-level stakeholders.
- Support structured engagement with key business partners.
- Supplier Relationship & Risk Management
- Manage supplier segmentation and performance for assigned categories.
- Support initiatives focused on rate rationalization, scope clarity, and reduction of change orders.
- Services-Based Category Expertise
- Manage services-based categories with an understanding of labor-driven cost models, utilization, and demand variability.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
- 5+ years of experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing.
- Experience with AI and digital procurement tools.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and contract management skills.
- Working knowledge of SAP, Ariba, or similar procurement systems; intermediate Excel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing both product and services categories.
- Experience in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated success in driving savings and supplier performance.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fair and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees or accept any form of payment from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process. If anyone claims to offer employment opportunities in our company in exchange for money or any other benefit, please treat it as fraudulent and report it immediately
Category Management, Negotiation, Strategic Sourcing, RFX Process
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