Cushman & Wakefield Logo

Cushman & Wakefield

Senior Director, Category Management

Posted 4 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office or Remote
Hiring Remotely in Chicago, IL, USA
187K-220K Annually
Senior level
In-Office or Remote
Hiring Remotely in Chicago, IL, USA
187K-220K Annually
Senior level
Lead Facilities Category Management team to develop category strategies, preferred supplier programs, and supplier performance metrics. Drive cost savings and EBITDA growth via IFM and MRO procurement, partner with business leaders, Legal and Risk, and support client pitches and reviews. Coach and develop staff, implement continuous improvement, and use data analytics to optimize third-party spend and commercial arrangements.
The summary above was generated by AI

Job Title

Senior Director, Category Management

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a highly knowledgeable and experienced Senior Director, Category Management to lead our Facilities Category Management team. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in procurement of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) services and products such as janitorial, HVAC, landscaping & fleet management services along with maintenance, repair & operations (MRO) supplies. The Senior Director will have knowledge including pricing strategies (to ensure cost-effective solutions without compromising quality) and knowledge of industry best practices and emerging trends to continuously improve delivery to C&W’s clients. This role involves providing guidance and strategy to a team of Category Managers, developing Category Management program materials, and leading the development of a robust preferred supplier program. This role requires strong leadership, excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and the ability to consult and understand C&W business units and our client’s needs. 
 
This role is instrumental in delivering value to Cushman & Wakefield’s clients through leveraging the Company’s aggregated spend across the client base in order to negotiate best in class rates and contractual terms. Procurement is a cornerstone of Cushman & Wakefield’s value proposition to clients and the Senior Director, Category Management or members of the team may accompany Cushman & Wakefield executives on new client pitches and existing client quarterly business reviews to highlight the bottom-line benefits that our group delivers. As such, the Director will also work with Marketing to develop methods to highlight capabilities and category accomplishments to clients by leading development of white papers / case studies and updating internal and external Cushman & Wakefield website platforms. 

Job Description

Job Summary:  

Responsibilities:  

Leadership- 

  • Leads a multi-level Category Management team while creating a working environment that encourages high performance and innovation. 

  • Provides coaching and direction to enable creation and delivery of dynamic category strategies & the associated preferred suppliers to enable high-value service delivery. 

  • Flexibility, adaptability & conflict resolution to enable the delivery of client, procurement C&W goals. 

  • Promotes compliance with C&W’s code of conduct and DRIVE Values. 

  • Navigates a matrixed organization where stakeholders are in different business lines, functions or projects. 

Category Management- 

  • Responsible for working with procurement business partners and service line leadership to align category management vision with service line and procurement priorities. 

  • Drives EBITDA growth through C&W’s preferred suppliers. 

  • Analyze current Category Management & preferred supplier program to identify areas for improvement, innovation & efficiency, increased client experience and cost reduction opportunities. Incorporates industry best practices into category delivery. 

  • Develops, monitors & communicates program metrics, builds roster to ensure capability to deliver across the service line portfolios, and monitors performance to ensure capability to meet account needs. 

  • Ability to develop and understand data analytics to drive in depth analysis of client 3rd party spend. 

  • Ensure effective commercial arrangements. 

Business Influence- 

  • Leads a team that reinforces and maintains standards, processes and templates that enable sourcing delivery. 

  • Develops and maintains strong relationships with corporate functions, business lines and procurement teams. Works with business leaders to align Category Management strategies and potential suppliers to client needs and infuses our preferred supplier relationships into the way we work. 

  • Develops and delivers comprehensive training programs for C&W and our clients, covering best practices, market trends and innovation. 

  • Encourages creation and brings best in class ideas and approaches to the table for developing and executing category strategies and working within the supply market to ensure Cushman & Wakefield meets or exceeds their objectives. 

  • Working with C&W Legal Counsel and Risk Management to ensure language to enable effective negotiations and risk mitigation. 

Continuous Improvement/Change Management- 

  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to utilize continuous improvement techniques. 

  • Utilizes change management techniques to drive the development and utilization of a preferred supplier program. 

 

 

Qualifications:  

  • Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field preferred 

  • 15+ years of category management or procurement experience, must have in depth knowledge of IFM categories. 

  • 10+ years of experience leading and developed highperforming teams through coaching, performance management, and clear goal-setting to drive consistent results and employee growth 

  • Professional certifications preferred e.g., CPM/CPSM, CSCP/CTSC, CSP/CSMP, PMP or evidence of continued professional growth 

  • Knowledge of effective supplier risk management techniques 

  • Training and Instructional Skills: Ability to effectively train and mentor others. 

  • Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Ability to identify and creatively resolve issues related to service delivery. 

  • Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization. 

  • Organization and Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively. 

  • Leadership: Ability to lead & manage others to achieve successful outcomes. 

  • Continuous improvement & Innovativeness 

  • Self-starter 

  • Effective Communication & presentation skills 

  • Business Influence, interviewing and active listening 

  • C&W DRIVE Values: Driven, Resilient, Inclusive Visionary and Entrepreneurial 




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: $ 187,000.00 - $220,000.00

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”
HQ

Cushman & Wakefield Chicago, Illinois, USA Office

225 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, United States, 60606

Cushman & Wakefield Glenview, Illinois, USA Office

Glenview, United States

Similar Jobs

15 Days Ago
Remote
United States
200K-250K Annually
Senior level
200K-250K Annually
Senior level
Information Technology • Consulting
Lead global category strategy and multi-year sourcing roadmap for power infrastructure. Translate demand into sourcing plans, negotiate long-term agreements, qualify and manage suppliers, mitigate supply and geopolitical risks, and support project execution (expediting, testing, logistics). Drive cost optimization, lifecycle value improvements, and ensure compliance with technical and regulatory standards.
Top Skills: Energy StorageFat/SatFuel CellsHigh-Voltage EquipmentHv/MvMedium-Voltage EquipmentNuclear SolutionsQa/QcSubstationsSwitching StationsTransformers
An Hour Ago
Easy Apply
Remote
USA
Easy Apply
Senior level
Senior level
Automotive • Edtech • Kids + Family • Mobile • Social Impact • Transportation
Lead a pod of 5-6 BDMs and CarePartner Specialists to manage onboarding, integration, and performance of professional WAV and Livery fleets. Drive supply-side performance, standardize operational SOPs, manage high-complexity partnerships, escalate operational issues, coach and develop team members, and align supply acquisition with district demand and operational capacity.
Top Skills: Ai ToolsData ToolsLlmsWorkflow Automation
An Hour Ago
Remote
United States
149K-238K Annually
Senior level
149K-238K Annually
Senior level
Cloud • Fintech • Food • Information Technology • Software • Hospitality
Lead sales operations for Regional Mid‑Market, Mid‑Market, and Enterprise segments by building scalable processes, ensuring data integrity, and delivering accurate reporting (Salesforce, Sigma, Hex). Drive territory and account modeling, system integration, KPI frameworks, and cross-functional initiatives. Partner with leadership to prioritize projects, provide stakeholder updates, and implement training and documentation to scale growth and operational excellence.
Top Skills: HexSalesforce (Sfdc)Sigma

What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene

With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.

Key Facts About Chicago Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
  • Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
  • Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account