Category Manager

The role

This role builds and runs the procurement strategy for indirect spend, with a focus on SaaS and software. The person manages renewals, vendor consolidation, supplier performance and RFP processes.

What you will do

• Build and maintain a complete view of SaaS and software applications, owners, contracts, renewals, spend and utilization.
• Identify software overlap, redundancy and shadow IT, and build consolidation plans.
• Manage the renewal calendar and engage stakeholders 120 to 180 days ahead of renewals.
• Partner with IT, Security and business owners on platform versus point-solution choices.
• Set up intake and approval workflows for new software purchases.
• Develop and execute category strategies across assigned indirect spend.
• Lead RFI, RFP and RFQ processes from requirements to award.
• Negotiate commercial terms and work with Legal on contract provisions.
• Manage supplier performance and risk through reviews, scorecards and due diligence.
• Report spend, savings, sourcing pipeline and supplier risk to Procurement leadership and Finance.

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing or category management, including meaningful ownership of SaaS or software spend.
• A demonstrated track record of measurable savings through vendor consolidation, license optimization and negotiation.
• Experience negotiating SaaS and software agreements, including subscription terms, usage metrics, renewals, true-ups and price protections.
• Working knowledge of commercial contract terms and the ability to partner effectively with Legal.
• Strong analytical skills, including spend analysis, utilization analysis and business cases in Excel or similar tools.
• The ability to influence engineers, executives and budget owners without formal authority.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Nice to have

• Working at a high-growth technology company or a company preparing for, or recently through, an IPO.
• Using SaaS management, spend-visibility, procurement or ERP platforms.
• Managing cloud, data or infrastructure categories.
• Supporting security, privacy or third-party risk reviews.
• A CPSM, CIPS or equivalent professional certification.

Before you apply

• Candidates are expected to take ownership of AI-driven work and develop AI fluency, which is tied to performance measurement.

About the company

Chainalysis is a blockchain data platform that connects digital asset movement to real-world services. It uses blockchain data and AI to help organizations investigate illicit activity and manage risk.