Category Manager (IT Software & Services)

Jacobs • Lawrence, KS • 5h ago

You're living your purpose and there's even more ahead. Continue growing your skills and exploring new opportunities across our global company. As part of Jacobs' IT Procurement team, you'll join a strategic, value driven group focused on maximizing every dollar spent. We're looking for a client-focused Category Manager to grow with our team.

As the Category Manager for IT Software and Services, you'll partner with leadership and senior stakeholders to develop, implement, and manage software and service contracts at global and regional levels. Beyond traditional sourcing, you'll build expertise in external market dynamics and internal business priorities to create strategies that reduce cost, mitigate risk, and drive efficiency. This position has geographic flexibility in the U.S with preference for candidates located in the East coast or Central time zone.

You'll apply strong analytical skills and innovative sourcing methods, leading supplier selection across multiple workstreams and collaborating with diverse stakeholder groups. Your commitment to inclusion and diversity will help you cultivate positive relationships with internal teams and a broad supplier base, including diverse and small businesses. You will lead negotiations with current and prospective suppliers and leverage deep software licensing knowledge to support collaboration, share insights, identify opportunities, and strengthen partnerships.

At Jacobs, we challenge the status quo to create lasting, innovative solutions. If you're driven, curious, and ready to build a rewarding career alongside the industry's best, Jacobs is where you belong.

At least 5 years of IT procurement and contracts experience

Proven track record managing complex procurements for major projects, including RFx development, contract drafting, negotiations, and administration of purchase orders, contracts, and subcontracts

Extensive expertise in enterprise software agreements, with emphasis on IT, engineering and technical software categories; deep knowledge of global licensing models (subscriptions, token-based, multi-site, enterprise, and cloud)

Demonstrated success in negotiating and managing large-scale software and hardware agreements, particularly engineering tools and technical platforms

Strong stakeholder management and leadership communication skills, with experience building consensus and securing enterprise alignment

Analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, including spend analysis, market intelligence, and cost-optimization strategies

Ability to act as a strategic relationship manager, driving supplier engagement and leading contract renewal initiatives, ensuring not just smooth procurement processes, but also strong ongoing vendor relationships and continuous alignment with business needs

Ideally, you'll also have:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Information Technology, Supply Management, or a related field

5-8 years of IT procurement and contracts experience

Significant experience reviewing and negotiating contracts for large enterprises ($1B+ in revenue)

Proficiency with ERP-based procurement systems

Experience rationalizing software contracts in support of acquisitions and divestitures

Professional certification from ISM, NCMA, or an equivalent international organization

LI-MP1

Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.

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