Senior Category Manager - Procurement
FairfieldAbout the Role
As Senior Category Manager, you'll join Fairfield's growing Procurement function with meaningful ownership over how category management takes shape. You'll be one of the company's lead negotiators across construction materials, finishes, renovation and recurring property services, nationally and regionally, owning categories from market analysis and sourcing strategy through contra
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cting, supplier performance and renewal.
This role is for someone who wants the challenge: a competitive, resilient negotiator who is energized by hard problems, is not afraid of hard work, and knows how to turn a negotiation into a result. If you want your work to be visible and measured, this is the seat.
Reports to: Director of Procurement
Location: Remote, Eastern or Central Time Zone. While the posting lists specific cities, candidates throughout these time zones are encouraged to apply, provided they reside in a state where the company is established to employ remote associates.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required based on business needs, including visits to suppliers, job sites, and properties throughout the U.S.
What You'll Do
Below is a snapshot of what this role is all about. While there is more to it, this is the core focus.
Lead Category Strategy
• Build category strategies from spend, specifications and market evidence.
• Assess value through savings and cost avoidance, leverage, efficiency, risk, spend visibility and capability.
• Partner with operating teams on new products, value engineering, priorities and sourcing sequence.
• Manage contract terms and renewal calendars.
Own Negotiations & Sourcing
• Negotiate directly with manufacturers, distributors, installers and service providers.
• Select the right commercial model for each scope, including negotiated price, direct buy or rebate.
• Build rebate and value-back programs, cleared by Legal and Compliance.
• Lead strategic, tactical, operational and global sourcing based on the value at stake.
• Keep national and regional negotiations moving continuously.
Build Strong Supplier Strategies
• Maintain qualified, insured and credentialed supplier bases and bid lists.
• Drive supplier capability, performance and continuous improvement.
• Manage supply risk through dual sourcing, long-lead planning and continuity.
• Lead supplier mobilization, transition, performance monitoring and exit.
Apply Technology & Build Capability
• Use AI and agents for research, should-cost analysis, negotiation preparation and contract review.
• Improve how your categories are bought, with the operating teams, putting technology on the repetitive work.
• Build templates, standards and playbooks others can follow.
• Mentor colleagues and potentially lead a small team while remaining actively involved in negotiations.
How We Work
• One team with the business units. Their results are our results, and ours are theirs.
• Fast and effective. A focused team that puts technology to work to reach the best result.
• Ownership. You own your categories end to end, and the results that come with them.
• Results that stand up. Every result is measured and validated with Finance.
• Always improving. Every negotiation teaches something, and we share what works.
What We're Looking For
Education & Certifications
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Finance, Construction Management, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and progressively responsible procurement experience.
• CPSM, CIPS or CSCP certification preferred
Experience
• 8 or more years in procurement, most of it hands-on sourcing
• Experienced negotiator with proven results
• Category management, strategic sourcing and procurement best practices
• Strategic, tactical, operational and global sourcing
• Supplier development: capability and performance, not only price
• Tech-savvy, with hands-on analytical skills and experience using AI and agents to work fa