Freeman
Category Manager
Freeman, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215
About Us
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry' largest network of experts, Freeman's insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 97-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.
Summary
Freeman is seeking a Category Manager - Procurement to be responsible for the management of designated categories and projects for the company with primary responsibilities across a number of business units including Information Technology, Design, Customer Experience, Growth, Audio Visual, and supporting stretch projects across all business lines. Manages category planning, spend analytics, sourcing strategies, negotiations, and other procurement activities for software, hardware and peripherals, professional services and staff augmentation, and equipment supporting audio visual. Improves quality, maximizes customer service, value creation, and reduces supplier cost across influenced spend.
This position will support our Procurement team. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office 2-3 days per week. This position is based out of Dallas, TX.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Skilled in analyzing data and information from various sources, such as spend analysis, market research, supplier performance, and stakeholder feedbackEngages stakeholders to understand their priorities in order to develop and influence the category strategyWorks effectively with other Procurement Professionals, internal customers, and outside parties to achieve category objectivesIdentify patterns, trends, risks, and opportunities that can inform your sourcing decisions and category plansUnderstands how the category aligns with the overall goals and objectives of the organization by understanding the impact of the category and sourcing strategies on the organization and internal customersNegotiate complex contractual agreements with suppliers to ensure that service, quality, added value, total cost, security of supply and the deployment of the supplier's capabilities in innovation are securedDevelops and implements best practices in the areas of supply market intelligence, sourcing, performance management, process improvements, and contract negotiationsDemonstrates the highest level of ethics and integrity in all supplier interactionsGains the respect and trust of departmental spend owners and Procurement to deliver significant savings with the right trade off in cost, quality, and operational impactPromotes excellent customer service by maintaining communications with departments regarding procurement policies and consistent sourcing proceduresRemains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development and training coursesIdentifies cost reduction strategies for categories, aligning them with corporate strategy and user needsMust be able to project manage multiple opportunities simultaneouslyPerform other duties as assignedEducation & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration or related field requiredMBA, a plus7 years+ of relevant category management or equivalent experience demonstrating success in positions of increasing complexityPrior experience managing software, hardware and peripherals, professional services and staff augmentation, and equipment supporting audio visualKnowledge of direct and indirect spend categoriesExcellent diplomacy and relationship skills with internal clients and external vendorsHands on knowledge of procurement technology software such as Coupa, SAP, etcDemonstrated understanding of the Category Management and Strategic Sourcing Processes. Experience implementing company Category Management strategy for operational performance improvement and savingsWell-honed negotiation skills and solid contract writingStrong consultative, analytical and problem-solving skillsAbility to develop and execute category management plansExcellent verbal and written communication skillsWhat We Offer
Freeman provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.
Medical, Dental, Vision InsuranceTuition ReimbursementPaid Parental LeaveLife, Accident and DisabilityRetirement with Company MatchPaid Time Off
Diversity Commitment
At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
#LI-Hybrid
Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry' largest network of experts, Freeman's insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 97-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.
Summary
Freeman is seeking a Category Manager - Procurement to be responsible for the management of designated categories and projects for the company with primary responsibilities across a number of business units including Information Technology, Design, Customer Experience, Growth, Audio Visual, and supporting stretch projects across all business lines. Manages category planning, spend analytics, sourcing strategies, negotiations, and other procurement activities for software, hardware and peripherals, professional services and staff augmentation, and equipment supporting audio visual. Improves quality, maximizes customer service, value creation, and reduces supplier cost across influenced spend.
This position will support our Procurement team. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office 2-3 days per week. This position is based out of Dallas, TX.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Skilled in analyzing data and information from various sources, such as spend analysis, market research, supplier performance, and stakeholder feedbackEngages stakeholders to understand their priorities in order to develop and influence the category strategyWorks effectively with other Procurement Professionals, internal customers, and outside parties to achieve category objectivesIdentify patterns, trends, risks, and opportunities that can inform your sourcing decisions and category plansUnderstands how the category aligns with the overall goals and objectives of the organization by understanding the impact of the category and sourcing strategies on the organization and internal customersNegotiate complex contractual agreements with suppliers to ensure that service, quality, added value, total cost, security of supply and the deployment of the supplier's capabilities in innovation are securedDevelops and implements best practices in the areas of supply market intelligence, sourcing, performance management, process improvements, and contract negotiationsDemonstrates the highest level of ethics and integrity in all supplier interactionsGains the respect and trust of departmental spend owners and Procurement to deliver significant savings with the right trade off in cost, quality, and operational impactPromotes excellent customer service by maintaining communications with departments regarding procurement policies and consistent sourcing proceduresRemains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development and training coursesIdentifies cost reduction strategies for categories, aligning them with corporate strategy and user needsMust be able to project manage multiple opportunities simultaneouslyPerform other duties as assignedEducation & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration or related field requiredMBA, a plus7 years+ of relevant category management or equivalent experience demonstrating success in positions of increasing complexityPrior experience managing software, hardware and peripherals, professional services and staff augmentation, and equipment supporting audio visualKnowledge of direct and indirect spend categoriesExcellent diplomacy and relationship skills with internal clients and external vendorsHands on knowledge of procurement technology software such as Coupa, SAP, etcDemonstrated understanding of the Category Management and Strategic Sourcing Processes. Experience implementing company Category Management strategy for operational performance improvement and savingsWell-honed negotiation skills and solid contract writingStrong consultative, analytical and problem-solving skillsAbility to develop and execute category management plansExcellent verbal and written communication skillsWhat We Offer
Freeman provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.
Medical, Dental, Vision InsuranceTuition ReimbursementPaid Parental LeaveLife, Accident and DisabilityRetirement with Company MatchPaid Time Off
Diversity Commitment
At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
#LI-Hybrid