Category Manager - Professional Services

Job Description: Job Title: Category Manager - Professional Services Location: Remote Home Office - North America Reports to: Head of Procurement Role Summary The Category Manager for Professional Services will report to the Head of Procurement. The role will have key responsibility for strategic sourcing, vendor management, and contract negotiations across all talent-related categories at JD Power. These categories include consultants, contract labor, staff augmentation resources, and professional services engagements across all business functions and geographies.

This role involves identifying and prioritizing organizational needs, understanding the talent and services market, developing and executing sourcing strategies, leading competitive procurement processes, and negotiating favorable commercial terms. The successful candidate will work closely with business leaders, the Legal and Finance teams, and external supplier partners to ensure JD Power retains top-tier services while optimizing costs and managing risk. Excellence in communication, relationship management, and strategic thinking are essential to success in this position.

What You Will Do Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing and category management strategies for consultants, contract labor, staff augmentation, professional services, and related category spend across the organization Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and staffing partners to understand capabilities, market rates, and emerging talent trends Partner with business stakeholders across all departments to understand talent needs, skill requirements, project timelines, and budget constraints Conduct market research and benchmarking to establish baselines, identify

best practices, and stay informed of industry trends in talent sourcing and professional services Lead procurement activities including RFx processes, vendor selection, rate negotiations, and contract finalization Manage contract negotiations with vendors and service providers, ensuring favorable terms, compliance with company policies, and alignment with risk and legal requirements Collaborate with Legal and Finance to manage onboarding, contracting, compliance, and invoicing for all talent and professional services providers Drive cost optimization and value creation by identifying savings

opportunities, managing spend, negotiating favorable rates, and delivering measurable ROI Manage supplier performance through regular business reviews, quality assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives Develop business cases and presentations for sourcing decisions, cost savings initiatives, and vendor recommendations to secure stakeholder buy-in Maintain deep category knowledge of staffing markets, professional services ecosystems, and talent management best practices Monitor and report on key metrics including spend, headcount, savings, vendor performance, and compliance across

all talent categories Key Relationships Internal: Business unit leaders, department heads, HR, Finance, Legal, and IT teams across the organization External: Staffing agencies, consultants, contractors, professional services firms, and other talent providers Cross-functional: Procurement team members, category managers, and sourcing specialists What You Will Bring Experience & Expertise 8+ years of strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement experience 3+ years of demonstrated experience managing talent categories (staffing, consulting, professional services, or contract

labor) Proven track record of cost savings, contract negotiations, and vendor relationship management Deep knowledge of staffing markets, talent ecosystems, and professional services industries Understanding of HR processes, compliance requirements (W-2, 1099, visa sponsorship), and employment law implications Skills & Competencies Strategic thinking Excellent negotiation and contract management skills Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities Excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to influence at all levels Proficiency with procurement systems, data analysis

tools, and Microsoft Office Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously Strong relationship and stakeholder management capabilities Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment across geographies and time zones Personal Attributes Results-oriented with demonstrated track record of measurable business impact Resourceful and entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable driving projects with limited resources Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills Ability to work collaboratively across functions and cultural backgrounds Strong work

ethic with sense of urgency to move initiatives to completion Education Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, HR, or related field; or equivalent professional experience Special Conditions Occasional travel may be required to meet with vendors, clients, and internal stakeholders Must be authorized to work in the country where the position is based. JD Power will not sponsor visa applications for this position This position has a starting salary range of $113,000 - $135,000 USD per year and $96,000 - $122,000 CAD per year.

This is the range we reasonably and in good faith expect to pay for the role at the time of posting. An employee’s pay within the range is determined by a number of factors, including relevant skills, education, qualifications, experience, performance, business or organizational needs, and geographic location. Why Join JD Power JD Power powers auto-related decisions through proprietary data, advanced analytics, deep industry expertise, and workflows that connect insight to action.

Operating across North America, Europe, and Australia, we help customers make better decisions and achieve better outcomes. As a virtual-first company, we offer flexible work arrangements, opportunities for learning and development, and a culture centered on the Values that guide how we work every day. · We power our customers’ success. Everything we do is focused on helping customers make better decisions and achieve better outcomes. · We are innovative, collaborative, and grounded in data. We combine advanced analytics with human expertise to deliver insight that holds up in the real world.

· We make things easy. We turn complexity into clarity so teams can act faster and with confidence. · We get it done. We focus on execution, accountability, and results. · We start with trust and prove it every day. Independence, integrity, and credibility are the foundation of our work. Equal Opportunity & Accommodations JD Power is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

JD Power is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process for individuals with disabilities or other protected needs under applicable local laws. Please contact careers@jdpower.com for accommodation request. Data Privacy JD Power does not disclose your personal data to unauthorized third parties. However, as a global corporation consisting of multiple affiliated companies in various countries, JD Power has international sites and JD Power uses resources located throughout the world.

JD Power may from time to time also use third parties to act on JD Power’s behalf. You agree to the fact that to the extent necessary your personal data may be transferred and/or disclosed to any company within JD Power group of companies as well as to third parties acting on JD Power’s behalf, including also transfers to servers and databases outside the country where you provided JD Power with your personal data. Such transfers may include for example transfers and/or disclosures outside the European Economic Area and in the United States of America.

If you are a California or United Kingdom resident, additional disclosures about the information we collect and how we use that information can be found by clicking here. Applications Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where employment is offered. JD Power does not provide employment sponsorship for this position. This position is posted exclusively on https://www.jdpower.com/business/careers and select trusted job boards such as LinkedIn or Indeed. All official communication comes from email addresses ending in @jdpower.com or @jdpa.com.

We will never ask for payment, equipment purchases, or upfront fees. We may take additional steps to verify candidate information to protect the integrity of our recruitment process. To all recruitment agencies: JD Power does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Welcome to JD Power Careers! JD Power is a proven leader in business-critical data and intelligence to drive auto-related decisions with confidence and clarity.

By leveraging unmatched proprietary data, advanced analytics and deep industry expertise, JD Power fuels original equipment manufacturers, retailers, lenders, insurers and partners to enhance their performance. Since 1968, JD Power has delivered incisive guidance and intelligence about customer interactions with brands and products. To learn more about the company, visit JDPower.com.

• 8+ years in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement with 3+ years managing talent categories
• Proven experience in cost savings, contract negotiations, and vendor relationship management
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, HR, or equivalent professional experience