The Role
The Category Manager II leads procurement strategies for software, manages supplier relationships, drives value creation, and collaborates with stakeholders to enhance software procurement processes.
Summary Generated by Built In
About the RoleAt Gap Inc., great ideas need great partners. As the Category Manager II, Procurement - Software, you will help shape how we find, select, and grow those partners across our software and services landscape – designing smarter ways to buy, unlocking value, and protecting the business as we move fast. You'll turn ambiguous needs into clear strategies, then lead sourcing, negotiations, and supplier performance to deliver results that leaders can feel.
Reporting into the Sr. Manager, Procurement, this high-impact role with Gap Inc. will be the commercial architect of category strategies that balance cost efficiency, innovation, and risk mitigation — moving beyond tactical buying to build 3-year category roadmaps that account for global market shifts, SaaS pricing trends, and the rapid integration of AI-powered solutions. This role is part of Gap Inc. Procurement's broader NextGen transformation journey, and this is your opportunity to shape strategies in categories that are evolving rapidly, and influence stakeholders at all levels.
This role will oversee Enterprise Software & SaaS categories — including but not limited to ERP, Cloud, Marketing, AI, Financial, and HR Software. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in activities central to Gap's NextGen journey – broadening your expertise and cross-functional relationships, and positioning yourself for continued career growth at Gap Inc.What You'll DoWho You Are
Reporting into the Sr. Manager, Procurement, this high-impact role with Gap Inc. will be the commercial architect of category strategies that balance cost efficiency, innovation, and risk mitigation — moving beyond tactical buying to build 3-year category roadmaps that account for global market shifts, SaaS pricing trends, and the rapid integration of AI-powered solutions. This role is part of Gap Inc. Procurement's broader NextGen transformation journey, and this is your opportunity to shape strategies in categories that are evolving rapidly, and influence stakeholders at all levels.
This role will oversee Enterprise Software & SaaS categories — including but not limited to ERP, Cloud, Marketing, AI, Financial, and HR Software. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in activities central to Gap's NextGen journey – broadening your expertise and cross-functional relationships, and positioning yourself for continued career growth at Gap Inc.What You'll Do
- Drive value – Execute category strategies and achieve value targets (P&L, Revenue, Capital and Non-P&L) for the categories, as applicable. Build complex should-cost models to understand software cost drivers — subscription tiers, licensing structures, utilization rates, and renewal leverage windows — and create a multi-year pipeline of projects that will deliver value year over year.
- Manage categories – Collaborate on developing actionable multi-year sourcing strategies and codify them into category playbooks that guide execution across the business. Design value-based RFPs that prioritize outcomes and KPIs over lowest price. Own supplier relationships through robust Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Order Forms that have real teeth — clear SLAs, liquidated damages, and continuous improvement and productivity clauses. Lead quarterly Strategic Business Reviews (SBRs) with Tier 1 software suppliers to drive innovation and ensure Gap is their Customer of Choice.
- Build and strengthen strategic relationships – Partner with senior internal stakeholders across IT, Finance, and business functions, procurement colleagues, and suppliers to drive results and facilitate complex change management across Gap Inc. Act as a Strategic Advisor, aligning procurement strategy with departmental technology goals and challenging stakeholders to think beyond the immediate transaction.
- Leverage procurement technology and advanced sourcing capabilities – Actively promote a competitive bid culture by applying advanced sourcing levers. Leverage advanced digital tools and analytics (dashboards, AI-powered spend insights, eAuctions, CLM platforms) to drive sourcing decisions and value creation. Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) thinking to shift conversations from price to value — identifying hidden costs in implementation, integration, seat over-provisioning, and off-boarding of software solutions. Curate a high-performing, right-sized software supply base that leverages volume while mitigating single-source risk.
- Be a thought partner – Collaborate with peers and business stakeholders to challenge consumption patterns ("need vs. want"), rationalize the software portfolio, identify white-space growth and efficiency improvement opportunities, and devise sourcing strategies to execute them. Bring market intelligence on SaaS pricing benchmarks, software consolidation trends, and the evolving AI and cloud landscape to every strategic conversation.
- Passionate about procurement with experience in category management within a global organization. Preference for candidates with demonstrated expertise in Enterprise Software, SaaS, Cloud, or AI-driven platforms, or those with a strong Technology or Management Consulting background.
- Not afraid to question the status quo by asking "What If" and "Why Not", and willing to get to the root cause of a problem, co-creating solutions, and executing them. Able to build and leverage should-cost models and market intelligence to enter software negotiations with a data-driven advantage — knowing when to push back on auto-renewals, bundled pricing, and inflated user counts.
- Strong work ethic and accountability bringing discipline, ownership, and follow-through to every project, balancing attention to detail with a drive to deliver outcomes. Holds suppliers accountable through structured SRM frameworks and rigorous performance management.
- Results-oriented with an ability to navigate an ambiguous environment to achieve high levels of performance and deliver sustainable results. Experience developing and executing strategic category roadmaps for enterprise software and SaaS spend in a global or enterprise-level environment.
- Excellent written and oral communicator with the ability to lead with or without authority to influence stakeholders at various organizational levels and drive decision-making. Relevant certifications (e.g., CPSM, MCIPS) and a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field are a plus.
Skills Required
- Experience in category management within a global organization
- Expertise in Enterprise Software, SaaS, Cloud, or AI-driven platforms
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field
- Relevant certifications (e.g., CPSM, MCIPS)
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The Company
What We Do
In 1969, Don and Doris Fisher opened the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco. They wanted to make it easier to find a great pair of jeans, and they did. Their denim and records store was a hit, and it grew to become one of the world’s most iconic brands. Today we’re represented in more than 1400 stores in over 40 countries, and online. We have headquarters in New York, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, and, of course, San Francisco. Our unique aesthetic is optimistic cool, elevated American style. Our clothes are crafted with care, with focused attention to thoughtful design. We believe in staying true to our heritage while creating what’s next. Don and Doris Fisher always wanted to “do more than sell clothes.” They wanted to support the people who ran their company, to be active in their communities, and to have a positive impact on the world. Their vision helped transform retail, and we’re still following their lead. We stand for freedom and possibility for all; we champion diverse ideas that transcend generations, geographies and genders.
