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Category Specialist – Software & Platforms Job Summary The Category Specialist – Software & Platforms is a key member of the Sourcing & Procurement organization, providing sourcing, analytical, operational, and category management support across the broader Software & Platforms portfolio. The role will support a team of Category Managers responsible for technology categories including
**Cloud Infrastructure & Middleware, SaaS, Enterprise Applications, Engineering Tools, and Data & Analytics**.
Rather than being dedicated to a single category, the Category Specialist will work across the portfolio, supporting Category Managers based on business priorities, sourcing activity, renewals, strategic initiatives, and workload.
This role is well suited for an individual who combines strong analytical and organizational skills with commercial curiosity and an interest in developing expertise in technology procurement. The Category Specialist will gain broad exposure to software suppliers, commercial models, licensing structures, sourcing strategies, negotiations, and category management while helping the team improve execution, visibility, and consistency across the portfolio. Key Responsibilities Category & Portfolio Support
- Partner with Category Managers to support category strategies, sourcing initiatives, supplier activities, renewals, and other priorities across the Software & Platforms portfolio.
- Conduct market and supplier research to identify market trends, emerging technologies, supplier capabilities, competitive dynamics, and potential sourcing opportunities.
- Analyze spend, supplier, contract, renewal, and sourcing data to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and potential cost savings.
- Support the development of category plans, supplier strategies, business cases, presentations, and executive-ready materials.
- Help maintain visibility into key portfolio activities, including sourcing pipelines, upcoming renewals, supplier initiatives, savings opportunities, and other category priorities.
- Provide flexible support across categories and Category Managers based on changing business needs and portfolio priorities. Strategic Sourcing & Negotiations
- Support and, where appropriate, independently manage sourcing activities including Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Quotes (RFQs).
- Partner with Category Managers and business stakeholders to gather requirements, develop sourcing documentation, coordinate supplier communications, and manage sourcing timelines.
- Analyze supplier proposals, commercial models, pricing structures, and contract terms and develop clear comparisons and recommendations.
- Support supplier negotiations through data gathering, pricing analysis, benchmarking, scenario development, and preparation of negotiation materials.
- Participate in supplier meetings, presentations, demonstrations, reference checks, and commercial discussions.
- Track sourcing outcomes, savings, value creation, and other relevant performance metrics. Contracting, Renewals & Supplier Management
- Support software renewals and contract negotiations by gathering requirements, analyzing historical spend and usage information, reviewing commercial proposals, and identifying negotiation opportunities.
- Review Statements of Work (SOWs), order forms, proposals, and other commercial documentation for alignment with negotiated terms and business requirements.
- Collaborate with Category Managers, Legal, Finance, Security, Third-Party Risk Management, and business stakeholders throughout the contracting process.
- Help business stakeholders navigate procurement and Third-Party Risk Management requirements to ensure suppliers are appropriately evaluated and approved prior to contract execution.
- Support supplier performance reviews, business reviews, and other supplier management activities as needed.
- Maintain accurate sourcing, contract, supplier, and category information within applicable procurement systems and tools.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Economics, Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
* **2–4 years of experience** in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, supply chain, commercial analysis, or a related field.
- Experience supporting or managing sourcing events such as RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend, pricing, supplier, and commercial data and translate findings into actionable insights.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and activities simultaneously.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders across functions and geographies.
- Commercial mindset with an interest in negotiations, supplier management, and technology markets.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and other business productivity tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience sourcing or supporting
**software, SaaS, cloud services, enterprise applications, engineering technology, data and analytics solutions, or other technology categories**.
- Familiarity with software licensing, SaaS subscription models, cloud consumption models, and/or professional services agreements.
- Experience supporting software renewals and analyzing supplier pricing and commercial proposals.
- Experience with contract negotiations and contract lifecycle management.
- Experience working with procurement, sourcing, spend analytics, contract management, or supplier management platforms.
- Experience working within a global organization and collaborating with stakeholders and suppliers across multiple regions and time zones.
UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that puts workforce understanding to work. With the world's largest collection of workforce insights, and people-first AI, our ability to reveal unseen ways to build trust, amplify productivity, and empower talent, is unmatched. It's this expertise that equips our customers with the intelligence to solve any challenge in any industry — because great organizations know their workforce is their competitive edge. Learn more at ukg.com.
UKG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including the recruitment process.
For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email [email protected]
