Category Manager

About the Role:

At Disney, we‘re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world.

The Enterprise Sourcing (ES) team has been established to support all the corporate function’s Sourcing & Procurement requirements. In addition, we are responsible for supporting the business Segments in developing and executing Category Management strategies for Marketing & Media, Professional Services, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, Facility Operation Services, Production/Production Tech, Media Engineering, Design & Construction, and Technology categories.

This role is part of the Technology team and is accountable for developing and implementing strategic category strategies.  Daily engagement is equally divided between internal stakeholders and external suppliers.  The assigned category will be managed within the context of the broader sourcing strategies established by the team and its leadership.

What Will You Do:

• Work collaboratively as a key member of the Technology Sourcing team
• Act as subject-matter expert from a Sourcing perspective for your category, managing related supplier relationships and key internal relationships with product owners, project managers and key executives within the various business areas of the Company
• Negotiate a range of deals in the category as the primary commercial voice of the Company with a variety of suppliers from startups to global technology leaders
• Build transparent and supportive relationships with multiple technologists across the Company, providing your expertise in the commercial space to support their operational efforts
• Navigate a highly matrixed Sourcing organization and stakeholder environment across several segments and business areas
• Develop and run all steps in the sourcing process (e.g. RFI, RFP, POC, supplier analysis, contracting, etc.)
• Closely collaborate with partners across the Company such as Legal, Vendor Management, IT Security, other Sourcing teams, etc.
• Provide leadership by example to Sourcing colleagues with less experience; this is a high-level individual-contributor role
   

Qualifications and Skills:

• 10+ years of sourcing/purchasing/supply chain experience and Including vender negations
• 2+ years of that time supporting/leading within a category-management approach
• 2+ years of that time supporting/leading a Technology category and/or supplier relationship
• Moderate to advanced Excel skills to enable deal analysis, cost-benefit, proposal normalization and comparison, etc.
• Effective at managing your own calendar, prioritizing relationship-building and driving maximum value, eliminating unnecessary or counterproductive activities
• Ability to network internally and externally in a global company/supply base
• High level of executive communication; able to tell a story to an audience of decision makers, utilizing data and boiling down complex information to key points
• General/personal interest in technology
• Flexible attitude, willing to dig into details when necessary while balancing several competing priorities
   

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area such as, but not limited to, Business Management, Economics, Supply Chain, Information Systems or relevant work experience
• MBA or related graduate degree may be considered in lieu of years of experience
   

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• 5+ years leading a technology-category sourcing strategy
• Expertise in SaaS, Infrastructure, Data Analytics, Cloud or related technology category
   

Additional Information

• Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits