Level 3 Communications, Inc

Senior Manager, Category Management

Level 3 Communications, Inc • $120K — $145K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree with 12+ years of relevant experience or Graduate Degree with 10+ years of related experience.
  • Proven track record in leading complex sourcing events and supplier negotiations.
  • Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders across various corporate functions.
  • Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and project management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficiency in ERP, sourcing, contract lifecycle management, and procurement analytics tools.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement multi-year category strategies for Corporate Services aligned with business goals.
  • Lead strategic sourcing initiatives from assessment to supplier selection and implementation.
  • Collaborate with executive leaders in HR, Finance, Legal, EHS, and Travel to translate business needs into sourcing strategies.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and drive process efficiencies.
  • Manage supplier relationships, including performance management and issue resolution.
  • Negotiate commercial terms and contract provisions with legal and business stakeholders.
  • Assess market trends and supplier capabilities to inform strategy development.

Benefits

  • 9/80 work schedule allowing every other Friday off.
  • Opportunity to lead and develop a team of category managers and sourcing professionals.
  • Engagement with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Focus on strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
  • Potential for significant impact on cost optimization and operational excellence.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Senior Manager, Category Management

Job Code: 45383

Job Location: (On Site) Melbourne, FL

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

The Senior Manager, Category Management - Corporate Services is responsible for developing and executing category strategies across a portfolio of indirect spend areas, including Human Resources, Finance, Professional Services, Legal, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Travel. This role partners closely with internal stakeholders, procurement leadership, and suppliers to deliver value through strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, operational excellence, and cost optimization.

The ideal candidate brings deep category management and sourcing experience, strong business acumen, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a complex enterprise environment.

Essential Functions:
  • Develop and implement multi-year category strategies for Corporate Services spend categories aligned with business priorities and enterprise goals.
  • Lead strategic sourcing initiatives from opportunity assessment through supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and implementation.
  • Partner with executive functional leaders in HR, Finance, Legal, EHS, Travel, and other corporate functions to understand business needs and translate them into sourcing strategies and procurement plans.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership, improve service levels, standardize specifications, and drive process efficiencies.
  • Manage supplier relationships for key corporate services providers, including performance management, business reviews, innovation discussions, and issue resolution.
  • Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, service-level agreements, and contract provisions in collaboration with legal and business stakeholders.
  • Assess supply market trends, supplier capabilities, and category risks to inform strategy development and decision-making.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards.
  • Drive spend visibility, analytics, and reporting to support informed decisions and track savings, value delivery, and supplier performance.
  • Lead, develop, and coach a team of category managers and sourcing professionals.
  • Partner with finance and business leaders to validate savings and measure procurement impact beyond cost, including risk reduction and service improvements.


Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree and minimum 12 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing events and supplier negotiations
  • Experience working with senior stakeholders across corporate functions
  • Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and project management skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced environment
  • Proficiency with ERP, sourcing, contract lifecycle management, and procurement analytics tools


Preferred Additional Skills:
  • Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field.
  • Professional certification such as CPSM, CIPS, CPM, or equivalent.
  • Experience in large, matrixed, or highly regulated organizations.
  • Experience supporting enterprise-wide professional services, travel, or legal sourcing categories.
  • Familiarity with supplier risk management and third-party governance processes.


Leadership Competencies:

  • Strategic thinking and category vision


  • Executive presence and stakeholder influence


  • Commercial acumen


  • Data-driven decision-making


  • Team leadership and talent development


  • Change management


  • Collaboration across functions and geographies


Success Measures:

  • Delivery of savings and value targets across assigned categories


  • Improved supplier performance and stakeholder satisfaction


  • Effective mitigation of commercial and supply risks


  • Increased contract coverage and policy compliance


  • Implementation of category strategies that support business goals


  • Process improvements that enhance efficiency and user experience


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