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.