Global Technology Category Manager - Software Security & IT Services

Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. Join us.

The Staff Category Manager, Software Security & IT Services is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing, category management, supplier governance, and commercial optimization of enterprise software security, cybersecurity solutions, IT services, cloud technologies, and technology integration providers. This role serves as a trusted advisor to Technology, Security, Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders, developing sourcing strategies that support business growth, operational resilience, compliance requirements, and innovation objectives.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in strategic procurement, software security, cybersecurity technologies, managed services, software licensing, IT services, and enterprise technology integrations. This individual will lead complex sourcing initiatives, develop category strategies, negotiate enterprise agreements, and drive value through supplier partnerships while supporting the evolving technology needs of a customer-centric organization in the Utilities & Energy sector.

We are seeking a collaborative, accountable, innovative, and authentic leader who is passionate about delivering measurable business outcomes through strategic supplier engagement, commercial excellence, and continuous improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead category strategy development for Software Security, Cybersecurity, IT Services, Cloud Solutions, and Technology Integration categories, leveraging market intelligence, industry trends, technology roadmaps, and supplier ecosystem assessments.

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support enterprise security initiatives, digital transformation programs, infrastructure modernization efforts, and business-critical technology investments.

• Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including RFx development, supplier identification, evaluation, negotiations, selection, contracting, implementation support, performance management, and ongoing supplier relationship management.

• Serve as the procurement lead for enterprise-wide software security, cybersecurity, and IT services initiatives, ensuring alignment with business priorities, technology strategies, risk management objectives, and regulatory requirements.

• Lead commercial negotiations with software security vendors, managed service providers, systems integrators, consulting firms, cloud providers, and technology partners to achieve optimal pricing, terms, and long-term value.

• Partner closely with Information Security, IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, Digital Transformation, Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and business teams to understand requirements and align sourcing strategies to organizational goals.

• Evaluate software security platforms, cybersecurity tools, managed security services, identity and access management solutions, threat detection technologies, cloud security services, and technology integration capabilities.

• Support procurement activities related to enterprise applications, SaaS solutions, cloud platforms, security software, managed services, professional services, and systems implementation engagements.

• Develop comprehensive category plans, supplier segmentation strategies, cost optimization roadmaps, and continuous improvement initiatives that enable business agility and innovation.

• Conduct supplier risk assessments, financial reviews, security due diligence, compliance evaluations, and business continuity reviews to support informed sourcing decisions.

• Drive supplier accountability through performance scorecards, governance frameworks, service level agreements, key performance indicators, and executive business reviews.

• Analyze spend patterns, pricing models, technology consumption trends, software licensing structures, and supplier performance metrics to identify optimization opportunities and support strategic decision-making.

• Provide marketplace insights regarding emerging cybersecurity technologies, software licensing trends, managed services models, cloud adoption strategies, and technology integration best practices.

• Prepare executive-level business cases, supplier recommendations, negotiation summaries, category updates, and strategic sourcing presentations for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships across the organization and with strategic suppliers to support innovation, operational excellence, and a customer-centric approach to technology investment.

• Promote procurement governance, ethical sourcing practices, contract compliance, and continuous improvement while ensuring adherence to organizational policies and procurement standards.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience in strategic procurement, category management, sourcing, supply chain, or vendor management with a focus on enterprise technology categories.

• Demonstrated experience sourcing and managing software security, cybersecurity, cloud services, IT services, managed services, technology consulting, and systems integration providers.

• Strong understanding of cybersecurity technologies, including identity and access management (IAM), cloud security, endpoint security, threat detection, vulnerability management, security operations, governance, risk and compliance, and managed security services.

• Proven ability to lead complex RFx processes, supplier evaluations, contract negotiations, and enterprise-level commercial engagements.

• Experience negotiating enterprise software agreements, SaaS contracts, cloud subscriptions, managed service agreements, statements of work, licensing structures, and professional services engagements.

• Knowledge of technology integration projects, enterprise architecture environments, software implementation programs, and digital transformation initiatives.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, pricing structures, total cost of ownership models, cost drivers, and business cases.

• Experience partnering effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders across Information Technology, Information Security, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Operations functions.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, influencing, and executive presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex commercial and technical concepts clearly.

• Demonstrated ability to operate in a fast-paced, agile environment while managing multiple strategic priorities and producing measurable business outcomes.

• Strong contract management and supplier governance experience, including service level agreements, performance management, risk mitigation, and compliance oversight.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and procurement or ERP platforms.

• Proven commitment to collaboration, accountability, innovation, authenticity, and customer-focused decision-making.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline.

• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CIPS, PMP, ITIL, CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or equivalent procurement and cybersecurity credentials.

• Experience supporting technology organizations within Utilities, Energy, Critical Infrastructure, Telecommunications, or highly regulated industries.

• Expertise in enterprise software licensing models, including SaaS, subscription, perpetual, consumption-based, cloud marketplace, and managed service agreements.

• Experience sourcing cybersecurity solutions, security operations services, cloud security platforms, managed detection and response (MDR), identity management, and enterprise security technologies.

• Familiarity with Oracle, SAP, Ariba, Coupa, or other procure-to-pay and sourcing platforms.

• Experience leading global or multi-regional sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations.

• Knowledge of third-party risk management, cybersecurity governance frameworks, data privacy requirements, and regulatory compliance considerations.

• Demonstrated success delivering cost savings, risk reduction, supplier innovation, and business value through strategic category management programs.

Benefits Info: This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, hybrid work schedule, and more!

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Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!

The successful candidate's starting wage will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.

Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email [email protected].

Itron is transforming how the world manages energy, water and city services. Our trusted intelligent infrastructure solutions help utilities and cities improve efficiency, build resilience and deliver safe, reliable and affordable service. With edge intelligence, we connect people, data insights and devices so communities can better manage the essential resources they rely on to live. Join us as we create a more resourceful world: www.itron.com