Category Manager (Telecom Services)

Company Description

Zayo provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 141,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, and dedicated Internet access. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises.

We are seeking a strategic and data-driven Category Manager to own the performance, growth, and profitability of assigned product and service categories. This role is responsible for developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, driving sourcing initiatives, analyzing market trends, and partnering cross-functionally to optimize commercial outcomes. 

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with commercial acumen, supplier negotiation skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization. 

Key Responsibilities 

Category Strategy & Management 

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives.  

• Manage the overall health and performance of assigned categories, including revenue, margin, cost savings, and supplier performance.  

• Identify growth opportunities, market gaps, and category optimization initiatives.  

• Create and maintain category roadmaps, sourcing plans, and business cases.  

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management 

• Lead sourcing events, RFPs, RFQs, contract negotiations, and supplier selection processes.  

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships. 

• Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing structures, risk profiles, and performance metrics.  

• Negotiate favorable commercial terms, service levels, and contractual agreements.  

• Drive supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.  

Market & Competitive Analysis 

• Monitor industry trends, market dynamics, pricing movements, and supplier landscapes.  

• Conduct spend analysis and identify opportunities for consolidation, standardization, and cost optimization.  

• Benchmark products, services, suppliers, and pricing against market conditions.  

• Provide recommendations based on market intelligence and data-driven insights.  

Financial & Performance Management 

• Analyze category spend, revenue, margin, savings, and operational performance.  

• Develop forecasts, budgets, and performance targets for assigned categories.  

• Track and report category KPIs and business outcomes.  

• Identify and mitigate supply, pricing, and commercial risks.  

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Procurement, Operations, Sales, Product, Finance, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to align category initiatives.  

• Influence decision-making through data, business cases, and strategic recommendations.  

• Support implementation of category changes, supplier transitions, and sourcing strategies.  

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and procurement standards.  

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related field.  

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, merchandising, or related commercial functions.  

• Experience with telecommunications, fiber or construction management.

• Demonstrated experience leading supplier negotiations and contract management activities.  

• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to drive business decisions.  

• Experience managing spend, revenue, margin, or category performance metrics.  

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools.  

• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. 

Estimated base salary range: $68,100 - $104,700 USD/annually.

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The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role. It takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Non- sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan. Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan.

Additionally, this position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off.

The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled.

Benefits, Rewards & Wellness

• Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
• Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave

Zayo is an equal opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

As part of the application, hiring, onboarding, and/or employment process, Zayo or its affiliates, partners, and vendors may collect, store, and use biometric identifiers and biometric information (collectively, “Biometric Data”), such as fingerprints, facial geometry scans or other unique biological characteristics. Zayo uses CLEAR1, a third-party identity verification service, to verify applicant identity during the hiring process. CLEAR1 may collect Biometric Data, including facial geometry scans and/or other biometric identifiers, to authenticate your identity. Biometric Data will be retained pursuant to CLEAR1’s policies, which can be found here: https://www.clearme.com/clear1-credential-policy-crp. Zayo will not sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit from any applicant's or employee's Biometric Data. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge this disclosure. Prior to any collection of Biometric Data — including through CLEAR — you may be presented with a separate consent form and asked to provide your written authorization in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (CUBI), and other applicable biometric privacy statutes.