Senior Category Manager- Professional Services

**Why UKG:** At UKG, the work you do matters. The code you ship, the decisions you make, and the care you show a customer all add up to real impact. Today, tens of millions of workers start and end their days with our workforce operating platform. Helping people get paid, grow in their careers, and shape the future of their industries. That's what we do. We never stop learning. We never stop challenging the norm. We push for better, and we celebrate the wins along the way. Here, you'll get flexibility that's real, benefits you can count on, and a team that succeeds together. Because at UKG, your work matters-and so do you. **About the Role:** The purpose of this role is to lead sourcing and supplier management for the Outside Services category, which includes consulting firms, implementation partners, professional services, and other external service providers. This position is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that maximize value, optimize total cost of ownership, and ensure supplier performance and compliance with UKG standards. The Senior Category Manager partners closely with key stakeholders across functions-such as Professional Services, Product, IT, HR, and Finance-to identify opportunities for efficiency, manage supplier risk, and drive strategic outcomes in alignment with business objectives. **Essential Functions:** - Category Leadership: Lead the strategic sourcing and supplier management activities for Outside Services, including consulting, advisory, and implementation partners. - Category Strategy Development: Develop and maintain comprehensive category strategies based on market analysis, business needs, and risk assessment. Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers, leverage scale, and reduce total cost of engagement. - Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with UKG functional leaders to understand service needs, forecast demand, and ensure alignment on sourcing initiatives. Drive cross-functional collaboration to balance cost, quality, and delivery expectations. - Supplier Selection and Negotiation: Lead competitive sourcing events, evaluate proposals, negotiate commercial and legal terms, and award contracts that drive best value outcomes for UKG. - Supplier Relationship Management: Manage strategic supplier relationships, conduct quarterly business reviews, and drive continuous improvement in service delivery, innovation, and performance. - Spend and Performance Analysis: Monitor supplier spend, savings, and performance metrics. Provide insights and dashboards to senior leadership highlighting trends, compliance, and value delivery. - Risk and Compliance: Partner with Legal, Security, and Risk functions to ensure supplier compliance with contractual, financial, and regulatory obligations. - Cost Optimization: Develop and track cost-saving initiatives and productivity improvements within the Outside Services spend category. - Governance and Best Practices: Contribute to the Procurement Center of Excellence by defining sourcing standards, templates, and policies for service-based categories. - Team Leadership: Select, coach, train, and develop team members. Conduct performance reviews and mentor procurement fundamentals. **About You:** **Basic Qualifications:** + Education: Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field. + Experience: Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, with at least 5 years focused on professional services, consulting, or other service-based categories. + Proven success in developing and executing sourcing strategies for external service providers, including consulting, implementation, and professional service firms. + Experience leading large-scale procurement initiatives, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating high-value contracts. + Strong understanding of cost drivers and market dynamics related to professional services, labor-based engagements, and statement of work (SOW) management. + Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment between Procurement, Legal, and business units. + Advanced negotiation and contract management skills. + Expertise in professional services sourcing, category management, and supplier governance. + Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results under tight deadlines. + Demonstrated experience driving cost savings and process improvement initiatives. + Proven ability to build strong partnerships with business stakeholders and suppliers. + Proficiency with procurement systems, data analysis, and performance reporting. + Advanced Microsoft Office skills. **Preferred Qualifications:** + Strategic and analytical thinker with strong business acumen. + Excellent written and verbal communication skills. + Strong leadership and people development capabilities. + Skilled in influencing, problem solving, and conflict management. **Company Overview:** UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that puts workforce understanding to work. With the world's largest collection of workforce insights, and people-first AI, our ability to reveal unseen ways to build trust, amplify productivity, and empower talent, is unmatched. It's this expertise that equips our customers with the intelligence to solve any challenge in any industry - because great organizations know their workforce is their competitive edge. Learn more at ukg.com. Equal Opportunity Employer UKG is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories. View The EEO Know Your Rights poster ( UKG participates in E-Verify. View the E-Verify posters here ( . It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Disability Accommodation in the Application and Interview Process For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email [email protected] . The pay range for this position is $129,500 to $160,000, however, base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a short-term incentive and a long-term incentive as part of total compensation. Information about UKG's comprehensive benefits can be reviewed on our careers site at It is the policy of Ultimate Software to promote and assure equal employment opportunity for all current and prospective Peeps without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, and any other legally protected status entitled to protection under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. This policy governs all matters related to recruitment, advertising, and initial selection of employment. It shall also apply to all other aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, compensation, promotion, demotion, transfer, lay-offs, terminations, leave of absence, and training opportunities.