Job Description
Oracle's
Global Indirect Procurement team is seeking a highly motivated
Lead Category Manager to oversee the Meetings & Events (M&E) category for US. This role will focus on supplier management, contract negotiation, cost savings, and ensuring the highest quality and value from Oracle’s M&E suppliers, including hotels, event agencies, venues, and conference centers. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in consolidating and negotiating regional supplier agreements, driving cost-saving initiatives, and managing procurement projects for large-scale events.
As part of the Global Indirect Procurement Services team, the Lead Category Manager will ensure alignment with Oracle's global procurement objectives, fostering strong supplier relationships, optimizing spend, and ensuring the success of events and meeting services worldwide, with an emphasis on the US region. This is a strategic role requiring advanced project management, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Candidate must be located near an Oracle office or relocate near an Oracle office with flexibility to report 1 time a week onsite. Preference is Rocklin, CA, Austin, TX or Kansas City MO.
Career Level - IC3
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the sourcing strategy for the Meetings & Events category, including the consolidation and negotiation of supplier agreements across regions. Handle supplier sourcing, Request for Proposals (RFPs), and contract negotiations for event-related commodities such as hotels, venues, and event agencies.
- Maintain strong relationships with M&E suppliers, ensuring the best quality at the best value. Manage the supplier base, including master agreements, rate cards, and performance monitoring. Drive cost savings through supplier negotiations and strategic partnerships.
- Lead high-value contract negotiations with M&E suppliers, ensuring compliance with Oracle's legal and procurement policies. Monitor contract cost, schedules, and scope while managing risks associated with large-scale event projects.
- Oversee complex M&E procurement initiatives, ensuring seamless execution of large events and alignment with business needs. Manage RFP processes for significant event projects, working with regional suppliers, lines of business, and internal procurement teams.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of global spending trends within the M&E category. Identify opportunities for cost savings, propose strategies for process efficiencies, and implement improvements to streamline procurement operations and drive financial benefits.
- Partner with internal stakeholders, including the events, marketing, and operations teams, to provide procurement support and ensure event success. Collaborate with global procurement teams and regional suppliers to align on objectives and implement best practices.
- Lead training initiatives to educate internal teams on procurement policies, tools, and processes. Continuously seek out and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement function.
Skills & Qualifications:
- 5 to 8 years of experience in procurement, category management, or event management, ideally within the hotel industry, event agencies, or logistics/marketing companies.
- Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint;
- Strong financial acumen and ability to conduct spend analysis and cost-saving initiatives.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
- Proven experience in managing large, complex procurement projects and supplier relationships.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a virtual, global team. Must be a team player and comfortable working across time zones.
- Strong analytical skills and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to propose and implement efficiencies.
- Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in business, procurement, or related fields.
- Familiarity with Oracle’s procurement systems, policies, and global operations is a plus.
Qualifications
Disclaimer:
Certain US customer or client-facing roles may be required to comply with applicable requirements, such as immunization and occupational health mandates.
Range and benefit information provided in this posting are specific to the stated locations only
Oracle maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions and locations, as well as reflect Oracle’s differing products, industries and lines of business.
Candidates are typically placed into the range based on the preceding factors as well as internal peer equity.
Oracle US offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including expert medical opinion
- Short term disability and long term disability
- Life insurance and AD&D
- Supplemental life insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
- Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
- 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan with company match
- Paid time off: Flexible Vacation is provided to all eligible employees assigned to a salaried (non-overtime eligible) position. Accrued Vacation is provided to all other employees eligible for vacation benefits. For employees working at least 35 hours per week, the vacation accrual rate is 13 days annually for the first three years of employment and 18 days annually for subsequent years of employment. Vacation accrual is prorated for employees working between 20 and 34 hours per week. Employees working fewer than 20 hours per week are not eligible for vacation.
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid sick leave: 72 hours of paid sick leave upon date of hire. Refreshes each calendar year. Unused balance will carry over each year up to a maximum cap of 112 hours.
- Paid parental leave
- Adoption assistance
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Financial planning and group legal
- Voluntary benefits including auto, homeowner and pet insurance
The role will generally accept applications for at least three calendar days from the posting date or as long as the job remains posted.
About Us
As a world leader in cloud solutions, Oracle uses tomorrow’s technology to tackle today’s problems. True innovation starts with diverse perspectives and various abilities and backgrounds.
When everyone’s voice is heard, we’re inspired to go beyond what’s been done before. It’s why we’re committed to expanding our inclusive workforce that promotes diverse insights and perspectives.
We’ve partnered with industry-leaders in almost every sector—and continue to thrive after 40+ years of change by operating with integrity.
Oracle careers open the door to global opportunities where work-life balance flourishes. We offer a highly competitive suite of employee benefits designed on the principles of parity and consistency. We put our people first with flexible medical, life insurance and retirement options. We also encourage employees to give back to their communities through our volunteer programs.
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Disclaimer:
Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer*. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Oracle will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.
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