Sr. Category Specialist

Cushman & Wakefield
Chicago, IL

Job Title

Sr. Category Specialist

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Senior Manager, the Sr. Category Specialist will support the Category Managers and will assist in all aspects of supplier and contract management for the preferred supplier relationships. The role will support contracting, data analysis, supplier administration, relationship management, and preferred supplier compliance. This role interfaces with the business lines to support the Category Managers in the development and implementation of supplier relationship management (SRM) in categories supporting Asset Services, C&W Services, and Global Occupier Services.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

  • Manage supplier selection, onboarding, and administration.
  • Prepare and facilitate contracts with preferred suppliers, utilizing templates and processes to ensure accuracy.
  • Utilize Contract Repository for supplier contract storage, administration and overall compliance, ensuring updates, amendments and renewals are processed in a timely fashion.
  • Facilitate preferred SRM program evaluations including analysis & reporting of results.
  • Conduct meetings with internal and external customers in a professional manner using a high degree of persuasive ability, professional knowledge, tact, good judgment and diplomacy.
  • Generate metrics, analysis and reports to support Client, Account and C&W expectations.
  • Act as back up for supplier invoicing program, facilitating payment status with assigned suppliers.
  • Become familiar with and ensure adherence of current procurement practices, policies, and procedures, to include both C&W corporate and Client account specifications.
  • Communicates supply category preferred supplier metrics and helps the business drive greater adoption of the preferred supplier network.
  • Develops and maintains strong relationships with business units and the category management team.
  • Own one or two small categories in order to gain experience and insight for the purposes of career development.
  • Perform other miscellaneous related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. Advanced degree is a plus.
  • 3-5 years of related Facilities Management/Indirect Procurement or equivalent experience.
  • Must be familiar with legal aspects of contracting including reading and interpreting contracts and related documentation, ability to prepare amendments, and ability to explain to stakeholders the specifics of the contracts.
  • Self-motivated and work independently to find solutions.
  • Detail-oriented with strong analytical & presentation skills (Excel & PowerPoint expertise required).
  • Strong relationship management skills including ability to develop and communicate supplier processes and procedures.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and the flexibility to handle multiple competing priorities.
  • Proficient with internal & external stakeholder/customer relationship management and effective communication with all levels of management.
  • Understanding Strategic Sourcing processes and demonstrated proficiency with e-tools such as Supplier Administration, e-Sourcing, and contract management systems.

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 68,000.00 - $80,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [email protected] . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”
Posted 2026-01-08

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