Greenhouse ·
contractCategory Manager (technology Sourcing)
Okta · San Francisco, California
Okta provides identity and access management solutions, focusing on securing human and AI identities through neutral infrastructure. As a Category Manager for Technology Sourcing, you will join the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team to manage global technology spend. Your daily responsibilities will involve leading complex, high-value sourcing projects across categories such as SaaS, IaaS, software, and network services. You will be responsible for end-to-end sourcing processes, including RFx events, supplier evaluations, and leading high-stakes commercial contract negotiations in partnership with the legal department. Beyond individual projects, you will develop long-term category strategies, drive cost-optimization initiatives, and mitigate financial or operational risks. This role requires acting as a senior partner to internal stakeholders, providing mentorship to junior team members, and managing relationships with key strategic suppliers. The position is ideal for an experienced procurement professional who is proactive, highly organized, and capable of operating with significant autonomy in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, legal acumen regarding service agreements, and the ability to align complex technical requirements with overarching business goals.
Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence. This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk. Okta's Strategic Sourcing and Procurement (SS&P) team is looking for an experienced Category Manager (Technology Sourcing) to to join our energetic Strategic Sourcing team to support and be part of Okta's continued growth. You will lead sourcing activities for our Technology spend globally. This includes leading complex, high-value sourcing projects and contract negotiations for IT service and product categories such as Software, Network, SaaS, IaaS, Telephony, and other direct or indirect technology requirements on a local or global scale. In this role, you will be a trusted, senior partner to our Technology stakeholders — owning the sourcing strategy for some of SS&P's most complex and highest-impact categories, leading high-stakes negotiations, and driving cost-saving initiatives while maintaining service quality and mitigating risk. You will also provide guidance and mentorship to junior Category Managers and serve as an escalation point for Tactical Sourcing on technology-related matters. We are looking for a proactive, organized, and collaborative individual who works well in a fast-paced environment and can operate with a high degree of autonomy. This role will report to the Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Technology. This is a hybrid role (2 days a week in office) and must be based in either Bellevue, WA, or the San Francisco Bay Area. Key Responsibilities: Category Strategy & Planning: Develop and lead sourcing strategies for Technology categories (Software, Network, SaaS, IaaS, Telephony, AI, and related technology requirements), working closely with senior stakeholders to understand long-term needs and deliver measurable value. Gather business and technical requirements to produce documentation supporting RFx events, and develop internal presentations and business cases to secure management approval for multi-year supplier agreements. Sourcing & Project Management : Lead and support all aspects of the strategic sourcing process end-to-end — RFx events, supplier evaluations, and day-to-day commercial contract negotiations — for the most complex, high-value technology sourcing initiatives. Contract Negotiation: Lead commercial term negotiations for project-level agreements and partner with Legal on Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and related exhibits, applying strong negotiation and legal acumen to secure favorable terms on high-stakes, high-dollar technology contracts. Cost Optimization & Risk Management: Use industry expertise to identify and lead cost optimization initiatives across the largest or most strategic Technology categories, where outcomes carry cross-functional or company-wide impact. Provide economic analysis of supplier proposals for high-dollar or high-risk expenditures, and identify and mitigate the associated internal and external risks. Identify and mitigate both internal and external risks associated with technology purchase transactions. Stakeholder Partnership: Build effective, strategic relationships with senior business stakeholders and cross-functional teams (Finance, Legal, Security, Privacy) to align sourcing initiatives with business requirements, ensuring policies and procedures are followed and met. Supplier Relaitonship Management: Own the relationship strategy for Okta's most strategic or highest-spend Technology suppliers. Drive supplier performance review meetings and serve as the escalation point when supplier issues or negotiations exceed what P3 Category Managers can resolve independently. Process, Governance, & Compliance: Ensure adherence to Okta's policies and procedures. Provide guidance and mentorship to and serve as an escalation point for junior team members. Data Analysis & Reporting: Build the data models and spend analysis that inform leadership's Technology category decisions — identifying opportunities for streamlining and consolidation of spend across the portfolio. Regularly brief leadership on strategy progress, savings, and market trends, presenting insights in an executive-ready format Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field. 5+ years of experience in Sourcing and Procurement of Technology (Infrastructure, SaaS, Telecom, IaaS, AI, etc.), including category management, strategic sourcing, vendor management, risk management, and/or procurement in a large, global company environment. Proven ability to independently lead complex contract and commercial term negotiations, including deep understa
| Role | Category Manager (technology Sourcing) |
|---|---|
| Company | Okta |
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| Type | contract |
| Compensation | Not disclosed |
| Posted | 2026-10-13 |
| Deadline | Rolling |
Typical process for this type of role
A general guide — the exact steps for this specific listing may vary; check the original posting for details.
- 1ApplicationSubmit your resume through the apply link.
- 2ScreeningRecruiter reviews your background against the role.
- 3AssessmentA technical test, assignment, or coding round, depending on the role.
- 4Interview(s)One or more rounds with the hiring team.
- 5OfferOffer letter with compensation and start date.
Before you apply
0/4About Okta
Okta, Inc. is an Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) company founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco. The company provides identity and access management solutions for workforces, customers, and AI agents. Its offerings include the Okta Platform for governance and the Auth0 Platform for authentication. Okta’s services are designed to secure human and machine identities, helping organizations manage access across their digital ecosystems. The company serves a diverse client base, including major government agencies and two-thirds of the Fortune 100, supporting thousands of organizations globally in securing their business operations and digital infrastructure.
More at Okta
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