Category Manager

Job Number:

250000IO

Posting Date

: May 9, 2025, 4:10:25 PM

Primary Location

: Central-42 West Madison Street (Procurement and Contracts)

CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S09

Estimated Annual Salary Range

: 87,000.00 - 115,500.00

Position Type: Non-Union Position

Overtime Status

: Exempt

Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.

JOB DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Department of Procurement and Contracts provides CPS schools with the best options for purchasing the highest quality goods and services at the best price. The team works with schools, departments, vendors, and business stakeholders to provide goods and services of the highest quality and value for the district. We are dedicated to meeting our goal through competitive pricing while adhering to relevant laws, Board of Education rules, policies, and procedures.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Procurement Category Management, and in close partnership with related user departments, the Category Manager will develop a professional approach for sourcing in order to generate significant savings while maintaining or improving the level of service and will ensure the District is not exposed to undue risks due to non-compliance of the supply chain, responsibility, and unethical behavior. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

This position will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Proactively manage categories, develop short and long-term sourcing strategies; Proactively manage sourcing plans to achieve deliverables against milestones
• Manage other team members, including assigning, organizing, and directing the work of Category Buyers
• Partner with stakeholders in development and launch of procurement strategy timelines, cost and quality goals, and service level to customers; Communicate sourcing decisions to stakeholders and complete necessary system updates
• Identify suppliers, solicit and review contracts, and analyze prices; Perform spend, contract, and market analysis
• Lead negotiations with suppliers to ensure the best quality, service, and cost is met to achieve business objectives
• Ensure a competitive sourcing environment leading to continuous improvement
• Maintain knowledge of market trends including analysis of market drivers, cost structures and technical improvements
• Generate materials in support of vendor presentations, workshops, and negotiations
• Provide necessary inputs to support contract management and monitor compliance; Establish and manage performance and relationships with key suppliers
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, this position must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, required
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain or related field, preferred
• Certified Public Procurement Buyer or Officer, preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of Procurement / Supply chain experience in a leading private or public organization
• Experience with Oracle is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Ability to interface with a wide variety of business situations and all levels of management, trade groups, conventions, etc.
• Excellent communication (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing) and interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, and ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.)
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management and organizational development
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.