Category Manager - Procurement

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 feedback
• Engages stakeholders to understand their priorities in order to develop and influence the category strategy
• Works effectively with other Procurement Professionals, internal customers, and outside parties to achieve category objectives
• Identify patterns, trends, risks, and opportunities that can inform your sourcing decisions and category plans
• Understands 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 customers
• Negotiate 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 secured
• Develops and implements best practices in the areas of supply market intelligence, sourcing, performance management, process improvements, and contract negotiations
• Demonstrates the highest level of ethics and integrity in all supplier interactions
• Gains the respect and trust of departmental spend owners and Procurement to deliver significant savings with the right trade off in cost, quality, and operational impact
• Promotes excellent customer service by maintaining communications with departments regarding procurement policies and consistent sourcing procedures
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development and training courses
• Identifies cost reduction strategies for categories, aligning them with corporate strategy and user needs
• Must be able to project manage multiple opportunities simultaneously
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration or related field required
• MBA, a plus
• 7 years+ of relevant category management or equivalent experience demonstrating success in positions of increasing complexity
• Prior experience managing software, hardware and peripherals, professional services and staff augmentation, and equipment supporting audio visual
• Knowledge of direct and indirect spend categories
• Excellent diplomacy and relationship skills with internal clients and external vendors
• Hands on knowledge of procurement technology software such as Coupa, SAP, etc
• Demonstrated understanding of the Category Management and Strategic Sourcing Processes. Experience implementing company Category Management strategy for operational performance improvement and savings
• Well-honed negotiation skills and solid contract writing
• Strong consultative, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop and execute category management plans
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

What 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 Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Accident and Disability
• Retirement with Company Match
• Paid Time Off