Job Description

Title: Category Manager

Duration: 4-month contract + possible extensions and permanent conversion

Location: Northbrook, IL 60062

Shift: M to F 8am to 5pm (Hybrid, 3 days on-site)

Pay Range: $75-81/hr

Start Date: ASAP

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; master’s preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, with a focus on capital equipment or lab infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of lab construction requirements and equipment specifications.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive sourcing compliance.
• Experience negotiating complex supplier contracts and managing vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with sourcing tools and project management systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.
• Experience in regulated environments

This role is hybrid on-site at our clients Northbrook, IL corporate office (3) days a week. We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Project Category Manager to lead the sourcing of capital equipment for laboratory construction projects. This role will be responsible for managing end-to-end sourcing activities, ensuring alignment with project timelines, technical specifications, and compliance standards. A key focus of this role is to drive engagement with business partners and ensure adherence to established sourcing practices to optimize value, mitigate risk, and support strategic project execution.

Responsibilities:

• As a Category Manager for Capital Equipment, you will:
• Drive sourcing strategy and execution for capital equipment, including lab infrastructure such as chambers, RTOs, HVAC systems, and other critical components for lab construction.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Business Facilities, EHS, Construction, and Project Management teams to align sourcing timelines with project requirements.
• Engage proactively with stakeholders to ensure sourcing is involved early in project planning and budgeting phases.
• Promote compliance with sourcing policies, including standard payment terms, contract lead times, and supplier qualification protocols.
• Manage RFQs/RFPs, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and high service levels.
• Ensure timely execution of MSAs, SOWs, and POs in alignment with key project milestones.
• Monitor supplier performance across delivery schedules, quality metrics, and overall reliability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Educate internal teams on sourcing processes through playbooks, training sessions, and collaborative planning efforts.
• Provide visibility into sourcing status and risks via dashboards, reports, and regular stakeholder updates.
• Support supplier quality audits in partnership with Quality leads to ensure compliance and performance standards.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs