Senior IT Category Manager (Contract to Hire)

Job Title: Senior IT Category Manager
Location: Northbrook, IL (onsite 3 days per week)
Position: Contract to Hire (W2)

Join a Global Industry Leader
TalentFish is casting a line for a Category Manager - IT Sourcing. This is a contract-to-hire, hybrid role in Northbrook, IL. The Category Manager will lead the strategic sourcing and procurement of enterprise technology solutions, ensuring cost-effective, compliant, and value-driven vendor partnerships aligned to the organization's long-term technology roadmap.

Overview
The Senior IT Category Manager plays a critical role in managing enterprise software, SaaS, hardware, managed services, and IT professional services, while partnering closely with Technology, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and senior business leadership.
What You Bring to the Role

Key Requirements:

• IT Contract Negotiation Experience: Must have negotiated SaaS, software, hardware, and or IT services contracts.
• End to End Sourcing Ownership: Experience managing RFPs, negotiated terms, and driven contracts to signature.
• Vendor and Stakeholder Management: Able to work with IT, Finance, Legal, and vendors simultaneously.
• Multi-Project Execution Experience: Can manage multiple deals at different stages concurrently.
• Strong Financial and Written Communication Skills: Able to perform Excel analysis, produce deal summaries, and communicate clear emails and written recommendations.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in Finance, Business, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing and executing IT category strategies across software, hardware, SaaS, and IT professional services.
• Proven experience negotiating complex, multi-year, multi-million-dollar SaaS and enterprise software agreements.
• Experience negotiating with major software vendors such as Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft, and ServiceNow preferred.
• Experience negotiating with IT consulting and contracting firms such as Client or Infosys preferred.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing best practices, category management, and procurement lifecycle processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with senior leadership, including C-level executives.
• Strong financial analysis skills with advanced Excel proficiency.
• Knowledge of commercial contracting practices and legal agreement structures.
• Proven ability to deliver sustainable cost reductions through strategic sourcing.
• Strong organizational, process-management, and time-management skills.
• High attention to detail with excellent documentation skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret spend data to support sourcing initiatives.
• Independent problem-solving skills with the ability to identify innovative solutions.
• CPM, CPSM, or PMP certification a plus.
• Strong follow-through and accountability.

What You ll Do (Primary 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 IT sourcing activities, including RFx, negotiations, renewals, extensions, and execution of legal agreements.
• Support governance approvals and business-case development for sourcing initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic supplier relationships while ensuring best-in-class commercial terms.
• Manage preferred-supplier programs and lead supplier-rationalization efforts to simplify the supplier ecosystem.
• Consolidate buying power to improve efficiency and cost outcomes.
• Partner closely with business stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business units to act as a trusted sourcing advisor.
• Lead key sourcing initiatives that deliver process improvements and toolset enhancements.
• Ensure adherence to global sourcing policies and procedures.
• Monitor and maintain hardware and licensing arrangements aligned with the technology roadmap.
• Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes and vendor-management practices.

Compensation and Employment
This role requires authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship. The expected hourly rate for this position is $55 - $73 per hour W2, depending on experience and qualifications. This role also qualifies for comprehensive benefits such as health insurance and paid time off. TalentFish is committed to pay transparency and equal opportunity. The salary range provided is in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
All offers are contingent upon the completion of a background check, which may include but is not limited to reference checks, education verification, employment verification, drug testing, criminal records checks, and any required certifications or compliance requirements based on the end client's background check policies and applicable laws.
TalentFish is an employee-owned company pioneering a new realm in talent acquisition. We are redefining IT staffing by evolving AI, video screening, and our unique platform. TalentFish focuses on providing the best employee, consultant, and client experience possible. TalentFish is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we embrace and encourage diversity.