Role Overview
The role: We are seeking a Procurement Category Manager to join our dynamic Procurement team.
The Procurement Category Manager at Proofpoint will lead category management, sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance across Corporate and Professional Services (PS) and Contingent Workforce, with support across broader Corporate spend as required.
The role partners closely with stakeholders, Legal, Finance, and specialist teams to deliver commercial value, manage risk, and ensure disciplined execution across these categories.
Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end sourcing projects, RFPs/RFIs, negotiations, renewals, and supplier management activity across Professional Services and Contingent Workforce, with support across broader Corporate categories where required.
Partner with business stakeholders and functional teams to understand demand, define requirements, and build sourcing and category strategies aligned to business priorities.
Develop and maintain category plans, supplier strategies, and renewal pipelines focused on value delivery, risk mitigation, and continuity of supply.
Provide credible commercial guidance to stakeholders and senior leaders, ensuring alignment on sourcing approach, negotiation strategy, and supplier decisions.
Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to inform category strategies, supplier selection, and commercial negotiations.
Negotiate and execute commercial agreements, statements of work, order forms, SLAs, amendments, and other contractual documents in partnership with Legal.
Monitor supplier compliance with agreed pricing schedules, rate cards, contractual terms, and service levels, and support remediation where required.
Support business owners through downstream processes, including contracting, purchase execution, supplier onboarding, and Finance coordination for accurate coding and timely payment.
Drive savings, cost avoidance, demand management, and process improvement initiatives across the category portfolio.
Proactively manage renewals and competitive events, identifying opportunities to consolidate suppliers, improve service, and strengthen commercial outcomes.
Monitor supplier performance and risk, run governance where appropriate, and support issue resolution and escalation management with key partners.
Provide guidance to stakeholders on service models, specifications, and statements of work to support clear requirements and stronger commercial outcomes.
Contribute to team priorities, ad hoc projects, and continuous improvement across the Procurement function.
Support and embed company procurement policies, processes, and controls, with particular emphasis on consulting, workforce, and PS-related activity.
Qualifications
Experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, vendor management, or a related commercial role, with direct experience in Professional Services, Contingent Workforce, or closely related categories.
Bachelor's degree or professional qualification in procurement, business, management, or a related field.
Strong negotiation and contracting skills, with a proven track record of delivering commercial value and securing favorable terms and conditions.
Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret data, assess trade-offs, and communicate clear recommendations to stakeholders.
Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders across Legal, Finance, business teams, and senior leadership.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer; we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.
#J-*****-Ljbffr