Director of Category Management
Company Description
Zayo provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 141,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, and dedicated Internet access. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises. Zayo is seeking a Director of Category Management.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business priorities. Conduct market, supplier, and spend analyses to identify opportunities for cost optimization, innovation, risk reduction, and operational improvement. Establish category roadmaps, savings targets, and performance metrics. Monitor industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging technologies impacting assigned categories. Strategic Sourcing & Contracting Lead complex sourcing events, including RFPs, RFQs, negotiations, and supplier selection processes. Develop negotiation strategies that maximize commercial value and business outcomes. Partner with Legal, Finance, Operations, and business stakeholders to structure and execute contracts. Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluations and business case development. Supplier Relationship Management Build and maintain executive-level supplier relationships. Develop supplier performance scorecards and governance processes. Identify and drive supplier innovation, continuous improvement, and risk mitigation initiatives. Manage supplier escalations and resolve commercial issues. uncertainties Stakeholder Partnership Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders and functional stakeholders. Facilitate alignment between category strategies and organizational objectives. Influence decision-making across multiple business functions without formal authority. Present recommendations, business cases, and category performance updates to senior leadership. Financial & Risk Management Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation initiatives. Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes. Identify supply chain, commercial, regulatory, and operational risks within assigned categories. Develop and implement mitigation plans to ensure business continuity. Governance & Compliance Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contracting standards, and regulatory requirements. Maintain category documentation, sourcing records, and supplier agreements. Promote ethical sourcing and supplier diversity initiatives where applicable.
Qualifications
Required Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or related field. Eight to twelve (8–12) years of category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or related experience. Demonstrated success developing and executing category strategies for significant spend portfolios. Experience leading complex negotiations and managing strategic supplier relationships. Strong financial analysis and business case development skills. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders in a matrixed organization. Excellent communication, presentation, and executive engagement skills. Estimated base salary range: $107,300 - $165,000 USD/annually. The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role. It takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Non- sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan. Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan. Additionally, this position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off. The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled. Benefits, Rewards & Wellness Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave Zayo is an equal opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.